NATO Champions Defense Spending: A New Era of Collective Commitment

NATO leaders agree to significantly boost defense spending, aligning with U.S. President Trump's demands. Despite concerns over transatlantic trade tensions raised by French President Macron, NATO commits to a 5% GDP defense goal, reaffirming collective defense against growing Russian threats.

NATO leaders have reached a consensus on increasing defense spending in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's demands and rising security threats from Russia. This decision was solidified at a recent summit where NATO restated its collective defense commitment.

While the summit yielded Trump's desired outcome, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced concerns about potential transatlantic trade issues due to U.S. tariffs. Nevertheless, NATO's new defense spending target aims for a 5% GDP allocation by 2035, encompassing both core and broader defense needs.

Under the agreements, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte optimistically described the alliance as becoming 'stronger, fairer, and more lethal,' in response to geopolitical threats, though Spain expressed reservations about meeting the spending threshold.

(With inputs from agencies.)