Trump to Squeeze NATO Allies Who Aren’t Paying What They Owe, US’ National Security Advisor Says

Times up.

A very senior official in the new Trump admin who’s a history savant told me this week something that had me nodding in emphatic agreement:

’What NATO doesn’t understand is that Americans don’t really care what you do.
•Underspend for years.
•Refuse to let our ships dock.…

— John Ʌ Konrad V (@johnkonrad) February 2, 2025

With each passing day President Trump is restoring America’s credibility and deterrence. Only half of NATO nations are reaching their military spending (2% of GDP) requirements. The NATO nations from Europe are geographically much closer to Russia than America is. As such, they (as well as Canada) must reach adequate levels of military spending if they expect to remain in NATO.

10 years ago, NATO members pledged 2% of GDP for defense. Only half have met the MINIMUM.

We expect our allies to carry their share of the burden.

With war raging in Europe, President Trump wants NATO members to pay 5% of their GDP – and they absolutely should step up. https://t.co/9wLJoaq8cB

— Mike Waltz (@MikeWaltz47) February 1, 2025

Trump to squeeze NATO allies who aren’t paying what they owe, US’ national security advisor says

By New York Post, Feb 2nd, 2025

It’s payback time.

Some of America’s most critical NATO allies have been shirking their financial obligations to the alliance, despite years of bipartisan calls for them to pay up — and top Trump administration officials say they’ve had enough.

“President Trump is absolutely right to demand our NATO allies invest more in their defense. With the largest conflict on their doorstep since World War II, now is the time for Europe to demonstrate their commitment to our alliance by increasing their spending to at least 5 percent GDP,” US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told The Post. “We will continue to have straightforward and blunt conversations to get NATO members to step up their share of the burden.”