Trump Demands 5% Defence Spending from NATO Allies Ahead of Ankara Summit
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President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to NATO allies, demanding they immediately accelerate their defence spending to 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ahead of the crucial Ankara Summit set for July 7-8 in Turkey. The White House has indicated that nations failing to meet this ambitious target could face significant repercussions, including a potential reduction in American military presence in their territories and a re-evaluation of US cooperation. This ultimatum underscores a growing tension within the alliance as the US pushes for a radical shift in burden-sharing, challenging the long-standing dynamics of collective security. This push isn't entirely new; at The Hague Summit in 2025, NATO members had already committed to gradually reaching a 5% GDP defence investment by 2035, with 3.5% allocated to core defence needs and 1.5% to broader security efforts. However, the Trump administration, through key officials like US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, is now insisting on a much faster timeline, advocating for a 'NATO 3.0' model focused on European self-reliance. While European allies and Canada have collectively boosted defence expenditures significantly since 2024, many are still far from the 5% benchmark, with some, like Spain, even receiving exemptions, highlighting deep divisions. The Ankara Summit is poised to be a pivotal moment for the alliance, as President Trump aims to enforce these spending pledges and recalibrate US-NATO relations amidst existing transatlantic conflicts over issues like the Iran war and US force posture in Europe. The Pentagon has already initiated a review of US troop deployments, signalling that Washington is prepared to follow through on its threats. Allies will be scrutinised for their progress, with the summit serving as a critical juncture for either solidifying a new era of burden-sharing or risking further fragmentation of the world's most powerful military alliance.