President Donald Trump has expressed strong support for NATO’s ambitious plan to raise defense and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, a move he described as critical for the alliance’s future. The announcement was made during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This new target represents a significant increase from the previous 2% benchmark. According to the agreement reached at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, member countries have committed to allocating at least 3.5% of their GDP to core defense needs, with an additional 1.5% dedicated to defense-related investments and security measures.
NATO has noted that European allies and Canada are already stepping up their defense spending to meet the new objective, reporting a nearly 20% increase in combined core defense expenditures in real terms for 2025 compared to the previous year. This shift is part of NATO’s broader strategy to enhance military capabilities and collective security.
In his speech, Trump also addressed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, calling for an end to the war that he said continues to result in significant loss of life. He assured that the United States remains committed to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.
The 5% GDP spending goal is a component of NATO’s long-term strategy to bolster defense production and ensure the alliance’s readiness to tackle emerging security challenges. This initiative underscores the collective commitment to strengthening military preparedness amid evolving global threats.