Donald Trump criticizes NATO funding and security commitments

On July 3, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump described current American support for NATO as absurd and lacking reciprocity. In a post on Truth Social, he claimed that the U.S. spent $999 billion on alliance protection between 2014 and 2025, compared to significantly lower contributions from other members such as Britain, France, Italy, and Poland. Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Trump argued that the U.S. bears a disproportionate financial burden without receiving benefits. Consequently, NATO has set a target for member states to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP by 2035. When Spain disagreed with this requirement, Trump threatened to terminate trade relations with the country and questioned its continued membership in the alliance. While Trump characterizes the current dynamic as a one-sided failure, the alliance is actively adjusting its fiscal policies in response to these demands.