To meet NATO leaders in Hague: 5% of Trump’s Defense Push Sparks Division among Allies. world News
NATO leaders along with US President Donald Trump are set to meet in Hague for a two -day summit centered on a major point of controversy within the alliance on Tuesday – a proposed defense spending of 5% of GDP targets.In 2014, members of NATO promised to go towards spending at least 2% of their GDP on defense. After Russia’s full -scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this figure became a minimum requirement. In 2024, 22 members met three to 2% target in 2014.Donald Trump proposed a 5% mark and criticized Spain and Canada for not contributing to NATO. “NATO has to deal with Spain,” Trump said. Spain has been a very few payer. ” He also referred to Canada as a “low payer”. NATO figures suggest that Spain spent less than 2% of its GDP on defense in 2024, while Canada spent 1.45%.At the Hague Summit, leaders are expected to consider increasing the target of spending up to 3.5% GDP, as well as an additional 1.5% for infrastructure and social flexibility.NATO general secretary Mark Rute indicated optimism that European ally and Canada would agree to match the investment US levels. However, Spain publicly rejected the proposal, called it “unfair”.Also read The success of a major NATO summit in Spain is in doubt when Spain rejects a major increase in defense spendingUkrainian President Volodimier Zelansky has been invited to the summit, but his participation in the working session is uncertain. NATO was established in 1949 with 12 founding members. Now it is 32, Sweden is joining 2024. Alliance’s main commitment is Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, stating that an attack on a member is considered to be an attack on all.The summit will bring the state’s heads and government together from 32 member countries of the coalition for a single work session set for Tuesday evening and a single work session on Wednesday morning.
