Trump hails NATO’s 5% defense spending pledge as 'monumental win for US'
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday celebrated what he called a “monumental win for the United States” after NATO leaders agreed to increase defense spending to 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.
His remarks came during the press conference held during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in the Netherlands, “Over the years, NATO members failed to meet even the 2 percent goal — and now they’re committing to 5 percent. That’s a historic achievement,” Trump declared.
He emphasized that the US has been shouldering nearly two-thirds of the alliance’s spending for decades, saying he repeatedly pushed for a more equitable balance.
Trump also commented on the recent 'Israel'-Iran conflict, referring to it as “the 12-day war.”
“We call it the 12-day war. I spoke to a few people, and I guess it just sounded like the right name. It was a 12-day war, and we think it’s over,” Trump said. “I don’t think they’re going to be going back at each other. I don’t think so.”
He credited US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities with preventing further escalation, claiming the attacks had “paved the way for peace” and citing an 'Israeli' Atomic Energy Commission statement that said the strikes had delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by years.
“The massive projection of American power laid the groundwork for peace,” Trump added.
Trump also stated they will hold talks with Iran next week, with a possible agreement on the table about Tehran's nuclear programme.
"We're going to talk to them next week with Iran, we may sign an agreement, I don't know," said Trump.
The NATO announcement came as part of a broader summit declaration that aligns with Trump’s long-standing demand for more defense contributions from European allies. The alliance’s new 5 percent target will require all 32 members to scale up military spending over the next decade — a dramatic jump from the current 2 percent benchmark first introduced in 2014.
Later Wednesday, Trump is expected to hold a press conference before returning to Washington, where he is lobbying for the passage of a sweeping tax and immigration reform bill currently pending in the Senate.
