Trump on NATO: They Pay Less Than They Should for U.S. Protection

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump urged NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP, reiterating accusations that they are paying less than they should for U.S. protection.

Trump told reporters: “They can all afford it, but the percentage should be 5%, not 2%.”

Trump has long questioned NATO, which has been the backbone of European security since World War II. Last month, the Republican billionaire repeated his threat to withdraw from the alliance unless its members agree to increase their spending, according to Reuters.

In an interview, Trump stated: “If they’re paying their bills, and I see that they’re treating us fairly, then yes, I will absolutely stay in NATO.”

In 2023, NATO’s 32 member states set a minimum defense spending target of 2% of GDP. The Russian war on Ukraine has prompted NATO to bolster the security of its eastern flank and increase defense spending.

Trump is not the only senior official calling for higher spending. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also stated last month: “We’ll need much more than 2%.” Rutte warned that European countries are not ready to face the threat of war with Russia, urging them to significantly boost their defense budgets.

Biden Wanted Ukraine to Join NATO

On Tuesday, Trump claimed that outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden wanted Ukraine to join NATO someday, suggesting that this stance may have contributed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump stated: “At some point, Biden said, ‘The Ukrainians should be able to join NATO.’ Well, Russia found someone on their doorstep, and I can understand how they feel about that.”

In reality, NATO countries have promised Ukraine since 2008 that it will become a member of the alliance someday. However, the U.S. and Germany have been reluctant to go beyond this promise, fearing that the alliance could be drawn into a war with Russia.

Trump has previously pledged to push for a quick agreement to end the war in Ukraine, raising concerns about the future of U.S. military aid to Kyiv.

On Tuesday, Trump said the war in Ukraine “should never have started,” adding: “I assure you, if I were president, the war would never have happened.”