Trump Calls U.S. NATO Support One-Sided as Allies Increase Spending and Fill Capability Gaps

President Donald Trump said it is “ridiculous” for the United States to maintain its current level of support for NATO because the relationship is not reciprocal. He referred to the alliance as a “one-sided path” late Thursday. Trump posted a chart on Truth Social comparing U.S.

Defense spending of $999 billion to Poland’s $44.3 billion. NATO’s 2025 estimate for U.S. spending is $980 billion. Trump argued European countries “were not there for us” during the Iran war. Several NATO allies refused to allow the U.S.

Access to joint military bases for offensive operations against Iran. U.S. ” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated Germany is doubling its defense budget within four years. He called it the greatest effort the country has made to strengthen its defense capabilities and said Germany bears responsibility as the European Union’s largest member state.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited the White House last week. He referred to Trump’s military intervention in Iran as “extremely important” and presented charts showing increased allied defense spending since 2017. Last month Hegseth announced a review of U.S.

Military troops in Europe. The review, which could last up to six months, will examine force posture and basing and include consultations with Congress. Washington informed allies a month ago that it would begin reducing the military assets it dedicates to NATO.

A NATO official stated European allies have largely filled the gaps left by U.S. reductions to the NATO Force Model in a matter of weeks. At the NATO summit in The Hague last year, most member states pledged to spend 5 percent of GDP on core defense and security-related requirements by 2035.