President Donald Trump has endorsed a new commitment by NATO allies to significantly boost their defense spending, aiming to allocate 5% of GDP to defense and security by 2035. Announced during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump called the upgraded commitment a major advancement for the alliance.
The decision, formalized at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, marks a substantial increase from the previous 2% GDP benchmark. Under the new plan, 3.5% of GDP will be dedicated to core defense requirements, while an additional 1.5% will be directed towards defense-related investments and security needs.
Trump also used the platform to advocate for a resolution to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, underscoring the heavy toll it has taken on human lives. He emphasized the United States’ ongoing commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
In line with the new financial commitments, NATO has reported that European allies and Canada are already ramping up their defense expenditures. The alliance highlighted a nearly 20% real-term increase in combined core defense spending in 2025 compared to the previous year.
The 5% spending goal is part of NATO’s broader strategy to enhance military capabilities, improve defense production, and strengthen collective security across member nations. This move signifies a unified effort to address evolving global security challenges.