NATO Allies Boost Defense Spending, U.S. Criticizes

0:00On March 26, NATO's European allies in Canada boosted their defense spending by 20 percent in 2025, compared to the year before, according to the Alliance's annual report from Chief Mark Rudy. Overall, the 32 member countries hit 2.77 percent of their collective GDP on defense. Routet praised the progress and called for keeping the pace toward a new 5 percent target by 2035, split between 3.5 percent. Senate on core items like troops and weapons, plus 1.5 percent on things like cyber security and infrastructure upgrades. President Donald Trump weighed in sharply, criticizing NATO partners for not stepping up enough, especially on issues like Iran, and stressing that. The U.S. doesn't need much from the Alliance anymore. Last year, every ally met or beat the original 2 percent goal, with Poland, Lithuania and Latvia already topping the new 3.5 percent. Mark, while places like Spain, Canada and Belgium sat right at 2 percent.

1:01The U.S. still covers about 60 percent of total spending, but Routet emphasized a strong transatlantic link is key as global threats grow with eyes. Now on the next summit in Ankara, to lock in that path forward.