Former President Donald Trump vowed to “insist” that NATO allies increase their defense spending to “at least” 3% of their gross domestic product (GDP).
meanwhile Busy Speaking at a National Guard Association conference on Monday, Trump said some NATO member countries are “spending well below 2 percent” of their GDP.
“I will also be reaching out to our allies overseas and holding them accountable,” Trump said. “They have to, and they have to pay their fair share. As I’ve said for years, every single one of our NATO countries spends well under 2 percent of their GDP on their military, and our militaries are overstretched.”
President Trump: “For too long, NATO countries have spent far less than 2% of their GDP on their military, leaving them overstretched. To make up for long-standing shortfalls and to deter growing threats, I advocate that NATO countries spend at least 3%.” pic.twitter.com/zd9gXIYrR6
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 26, 2024
“To make up the shortfall and to deter the threat, I would argue that NATO members have to spend at least 3 percent,” Trump added. “We have to get up to 3 percent. 2 percent is the lowest it’s been this century.”
During his first term in office, President Trump warned NATO allies to pay 2% of their GDP and questioned why “only five out of 29 countries have met their commitments.”
Breitbart News reported in February 2024 that NATO countries’ defense spending will begin to increase from 1.56% in 2019 to 1.85% in 2023 and 2% in 2024.
In March, Polish President Andrzej Duda called on NATO allies to increase spending to 3 percent, but several countries are reportedly still below 2 percent.
Defense Budget Report According to a report from NATO, Poland is the top NATO member state spending 4.12% of its GDP, compared to Estonia at 3.43% and the United States at 3.38%.
