In a bold statement, former U.S. President Donald Trump has called for European NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP, a significant jump from the current standard of 2%. This demand comes as many European countries, including Germany, currently spend less than this threshold, with Germany's defense spending recorded at 2.14% of GDP in 2024 [d36f4874]. Meanwhile, Poland has emerged as a leader in defense spending, allocating 4.12% of its GDP for 2024 and planning to increase this to 5% in 2025 [5df74c1b].
Poland's Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has endorsed Trump's proposal, labeling it an 'important wake-up call' for Europe amid ongoing security challenges, particularly in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine [5df74c1b]. The Polish government is advocating for a substantial increase in defense budgets across the EU, aiming to secure €100 billion for defense from the next budget cycle starting in 2028 [5df74c1b].
Trump's demand highlights a broader concern regarding NATO's reliance on U.S. funding, which accounts for approximately 65.6% of NATO's total defense spending [d36f4874]. Currently, only a handful of NATO members, including Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Greece, exceed the 3% spending threshold, while eight members, such as Spain and Italy, are below the 2% guideline [5df74c1b].
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has emphasized the insufficiency of European defense spending, noting that while the target of 2% of GDP was set in 2006, only the U.S., UK, and Greece met it by 2014. However, by last year, 23 out of 32 NATO members had met this benchmark [5cd953b2]. Trump’s suggestion to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP is seen as a potential catalyst for renewed discussions on military budgets across the alliance. Current U.S. defense spending stands at 3.4% of GDP, approximately $960 billion [5cd953b2].
In stark contrast, Ukraine's defense spending has skyrocketed to over 30% of its GDP in 2024, reflecting the urgent need for military readiness in the face of aggression [d36f4874]. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, Poland's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities is indicative of a broader trend among NATO countries to prioritize defense spending in response to potential threats from Russia and its allies [5df74c1b].
Despite the push for increased spending, analysts suggest that most NATO countries are unlikely to reach Trump's 5% target within the next decade, making the feasibility of such a proposal a topic of ongoing debate [d36f4874]. Allies worldwide are also encouraged to consider their regional security responsibilities as economic ties between the U.S. and Europe remain crucial for NATO's stability [5cd953b2].