Posted on 06/25/2025 7:37:34 AM PDT by marcusmaximus
As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization held meetings on Wednesday, leaders from the bloc of Western nations agreed to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense, NATO announced.
According to a NATO statement, nations will commit to spending at least 3.5% on core defense requirements. These nations will allocate an additional 1.5% of their GDP to protect infrastructure, networks, and civil preparedness. Nations will be expected to submit annual plans on defense spending.
Nations have until 2035 to reach the 5% target.
Previously, NATO leaders agreed to commit 2% of their national GDP to defense spending. However, according to U.S. government data, some nations did not meet that benchmark. For instance, Spain spent an estimated 1.3% of its GDP on defense in 2024, while Canada spent 1.4% and Italy spent 1.5%.
"I've been asking them to go up to 5% for a number of years, and they're going up to 5% and that's a big (jump) from 2% and a lot of people didn't even pay the 2%, so I think it's going to be very big news," President Trump said. "NATO is going to become very strong with us."
(Excerpt) Read more at scrippsnews.com ...
Its not what they agree to, its what they actually do.
“In victory for Trump, NATO allies agree to massive increases in defense spending”
“In victory for Trump, NATO allies agree to massive increases in defense spending...IN THE FUTURE”
...and once Trump is out, back to their Population Replacement Program (PRP) and forget about those military promises.
“”””Its not what they agree to, its what they actually do.””
Exactly. Who will enforce this after President Trump is gone?
President Vance.
Understand why Trump is doing this but I really question the wisdom of forcing Europe to re arm. The current Eu leadership cannot be trusted with butter knives.
BTTT
2035?
Translation: we will fake it till Trump is out of office and then go back to our old ways.
Spending levels rise to 5%. The defense industries employ bureaucrats and self serving officials into those industries. The cash flows in as required. The cash us then laundered through the business sector, back to the politicians and bureaucrats.
If you don't recognize this pattern right here in America, you've had your eyes closed for quite some time.
It's real easy to spend taxpayers money. What's almost impossible is to get value for what was spent.
I expect the NATO nations to use accounting gimmicks to pretend to spend on defense, but not really. Say, refer to money spent building solar arrays and teaching “Asians” to be trans as defense spending.
President Vance will keep NATO in line after President Trump is out of office.
Bingo - since they don't actually have to do anything until 2035 ("Nations have until 2035 to reach the 5% target"), they'll probably just sit on their hands and hope America puts another D@mocrat like Brandon in the White House...
Spain’s not playing. Taking it’s ball home.
Trump will do the negotiating HIMSELF. Just said it.
“Its not what they agree to, its what they actually do.”
No doubt increased funds will go into the 43 gender inclusivity and DEI promotions, rainbow tanks and glitter bombs.
Thank you, President Trump.
2035 = never!
They have until 2035 to complete requirements. Hahahahahaha.
Just more Euro BS.
Believe it when you see it happen. Not likely:
1. Their socialist economies are too poor to afford a massive increase without decreased welfare payments.
2. The military threat from Russia is imaginary.
Trump: Putin may have territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine
I am more concerned about the anti-democratic stance of NATO and EU. If they don’t make substantial immediate steps to fix that then we should pull out of NATO and other bilateral defense treaties.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.