US Demands European Allies Spend More on Defence, But Offers Time to Meet 5% Goal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Meets with European Ministers in Brussels

US secretary of state Marco Rubio (left) said members, including the US, need to commit to a realistic pathway to reach up to 5% of spending. (EPA Images pic)

The US is as committed to Nato as ever but demands that European allies spend substantially more on defence, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Thursday, while adding that the US would give allies some time to do that.

US Commitment to Nato

Rubio spoke as he met fellow Nato foreign ministers gathered in Brussels, with Europeans hoping he would dispel doubts about the US stance even with tensions rising over President Donald Trump’s steep new trade tariffs.

The Trump administration’s words and actions have raised questions about the future of Nato, the transatlantic alliance that has been the bedrock of European security for the past 75 years.

Trump’s Stance on Nato

“The US is in Nato … The US is as active in Nato as it has ever been,” Rubio told reporters, dismissing doubts about that commitment as “hysteria.”

Rubio added that Trump was “not against Nato. He is against a Nato that does not have the capabilities that it needs to fulfil the obligations that the treaty imposes upon each and every member state.”

5% Defence Spending Goal

Trump has said the military alliance should spend 5% of gross domestic product on defence – a huge increase from the current 2% goal and a level that no Nato country, including the US, currently reaches.

Washington has also bluntly told European countries that it can no longer be primarily focused on the continent’s security.

European Defence Spending

European allies have been anxiously seeking details on the timeframe and extent to which the US aims to reduce its engagement in Nato for weeks, in order to coordinate the process of a European defence ramp-up to avoid security gaps in Europe.

Realistic Pathway to 5% Spending

In Brussels, Rubio brought some element of response on that.

“We do want to leave here with an understanding that we are on a pathway, a realistic pathway, to every single one of the members committing and fulfilling a promise to reach up to 5% of spending,” he said, adding that this included the US.

“No one expects that you’re going to be able to do this in one year or two. But the pathway has to be real.”

Nato Estimates

According to Nato estimates, 23 of the alliance’s 32 members met or exceeded the 2% target last year. Some of the continent’s big economies, such as Italy and Spain, were among those below the target, at around 1.5% and 1.3% respectively.

Influence on Ukraine Talks

European ministers are also likely to use the meeting to try to influence the talks Trump has initiated with Russia over the war in Ukraine, which was triggered by Moscow’s 2022 invasion.

European belief in the US as the continent’s ultimate protector against any attack from Russia has been severely shaken by Trump’s attempted rapprochement with Moscow and heavy pressure on Kyiv as he seeks to end the war.

Conclusion

The US demands that European allies spend substantially more on defence, but offers time to meet the 5% goal. European ministers will use the meeting to showcase their plans to boost defence spending and influence the talks with Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the US committed to Nato?
• The US is committed to Nato, but demands that European allies spend substantially more on defence.
• What is the 5% defence spending goal?
• The 5% defence spending goal is a huge increase from the current 2% goal and a level that no Nato country, including the US, currently reaches.
• What is the current defence spending of European countries?
• According to Nato estimates, 23 of the alliance’s 32 members met or exceeded the 2% target last year, while some countries such as Italy and Spain were below the target.
• What is the goal of the meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Brussels?
• The goal of the meeting is to showcase plans to boost defence spending and influence the talks with Russia over the war in Ukraine.