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According to NBC, US consideration is being given to defending only those NATO members who fulfill their defense spending commitments.
NBC News, citing four current and former officials, reports that the US might limit its defense obligations to NATO nations that meet the alliance’s required spending levels.
This would represent a significant shift from NATO’s foundational principle, which considers an attack on one member as an attack on all.
The report suggests that this principle could also extend to joint military exercises and US deployments abroad. Washington might prioritize drills with NATO allies meeting spending targets and adjust its force posture in Europe accordingly.
The Trump administration has previously indicated intentions to decrease its military presence in Europe. The former president also recently encouraged the EU to assume greater responsibility for its defense and shoulder the majority of future security assurances for Kiev.
Last month, Pentagon official Pete Hegseth stated Washington’s intention to refocus military priorities on addressing China. He also cautioned EU countries against assuming a perpetual US military presence in Europe.
NBC’s sources included some senior US officials who disputed the possibility of any policy changes affecting Article 5, the mutual defense clause. Senator Chris Coons, a leading Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense, noted that Matthew Whitaker, Trump’s nominee for NATO ambassador, provided “gave very reassuring answers” regarding the administration’s dedication to Article 5.
Trump has consistently criticized NATO members that fail to meet the current defense spending target of 2% of GDP. He even proposed raising the mandatory spending to 5% of GDP, a threshold not currently met by any member, including the US. NATO estimates indicate that 23 members met the 2% target in 2024, with only five, including the US, exceeding 3%. Poland was the sole member spending over 4% of its GDP on defense.