US Pentagon Chief Confident NATO Will Commit To 5% GDP Defence Spending Target

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed confidence that NATO allies will commit to President Donald Trump's demand for a significant increase in defense spending to 5% of GDP, up from the current 2%, by the upcoming summit in The Hague later this month. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has proposed a compromise plan for members to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, with an additional 1.5% allocated to broader security-related expenditures, though the exact definitions and timelines remain under negotiation. European allies recognize that boosting defense budgets is essential to maintaining U.S. commitment to continental security, but there is division over the timeline, with some advocating for reaching the 5% goal by 2030 and others considering 2032 more realistic. The details of the new investment plan and capability targets, which aim to better balance contributions between Europe, Canada, and the United States, are expected to be finalized just before the summit. While the UK and other NATO members are likely to endorse the overall 5% spending target, concerns remain about potential accounting practices that could blur the line between strictly military spending and broader security-related expenditures. This defense spending push reflects a strategic effort to ensure NATO remains combat-ready and cohesive amid evolving global security challenges.