The United States reiterated its demand that NATO allies boost defense spending to at least 5% of GDP, according to U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew G. Whitaker, talking to reporters on Tuesday, May 13th.
Ahead of a key meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya, Turkey, Whitaker made it clear that any spending counted toward the target must be directly related to defense.
“It’s definitely more than just missiles, tanks and howitzers—but it’s got to be defense-related,” Whitaker said. “It is not a grab bag for everything that you could possibly imagine.”
His comments contrast with the recent proposals by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who has floated the idea of raising NATO’s current 2% spending target to 3.5%, a benchmark that seems to be too low for Washington.
Whitaker’s statement follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s call in January, shortly before his return to the White House, for NATO members to adopt the 5% spending goal.
Although 22 out of the 32 member states of NATO have reached the desired 2% benchmark, the Trump administration has already signaled its push for higher targets to expand defense capabilities in the Old Continent.
