US renews NATO call for 5% defence spending

WAM
14 May 2025, 19:17 GMT+10

BRUSSELS, 14th May, 2025 (WAM) -- Matthew Whitaker, United States Permanent Representative to NATO, has renewed Washington's call for NATO member states to allocate no less than 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defence spending.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Whitaker stated that the US is open to broader defence-related spending, such as infrastructure, provided it aligns with the overall defence target.

NATO members have already agreed on the need to exceed the current target of two percent of GDP for defence. Ahead of the alliance's upcoming summit in The Hague at the end of June, the 32 member states are expected to negotiate this matter, particularly as US President Donald Trump urges allies to move towards the 5 percent goal.

Whitaker underlined, "The five percent is not just a number-it is a necessity for our security," stressing that the alliance faces significant threats.

His comments reflect a compromise proposed by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, which suggests that member states could allocate 3.5 percent of GDP to defence, with the remaining 1.5 percent directed towards infrastructure and cybersecurity.

However, Whitaker cautioned that all investments must be directly relevant to defence needs.

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