U.S. Meets High Absolute NATO Commitment as Allies Approach 3.5% GDP Target

U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on July 2 that the United States spends 999 billion dollars on NATO while the United Kingdom spends 90.5 billion dollars, France 66.5 billion dollars, Italy 48.8 billion dollars and Poland 44.3 billion dollars. Trump stated that the United States spends more money on NATO than any other member state without getting any benefit.

He added that Germany and other allies spend much lower amounts. The post appeared ahead of a NATO summit set for July 7 and 8 in Ankara, Turkey. Yonhap reported that NATO members agreed last year to reach at least 3.5 percent of GDP on core defense expenditures by 2035.

In January the Pentagon released its National Defense Strategy, which said it will prioritize strengthening incentives for allies to take primary responsibility for their own defense in Europe, the Middle East and on the Korean Peninsula. Trump expressed displeasure over NATO and other allies' lack of support for the U.S. military campaign against Iran.

In April he said South Korea had not been helpful despite U.S. troops stationed there near North Korea.