While the number of countries expected to allocate at least 2 percent of their GDP to defense has doubled, nearly one third are still not meeting their commitments.
Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), running mate of former President Donald Trump, stated that the United States would continue its membership in NATO if Trump is reelected. However, Vance emphasized that other NATO members must contribute their fair share to defense spending.
âDonald Trump supports a strong NATO and wants the U.S. to remain in the alliance,â Vance stated in an interview on NBCâs âMeet the Press.â âBut he also expects NATO countries to fulfill their defense spending obligations.â
In response to Russia’s annexation of Ukraineâs Crimean Peninsula in 2014, NATO members agreed to devote at least 2 percent of their GDP to defense within ten years.
Trump has consistently criticized European allies for failing to fulfill their defense spending promises. During his tenure, he successfully pressured NATO members to increase their defense expenditure, with only five countries meeting the 2 percent minimum when he took office in 2016, a number that rose to nine when he left the White House.
During a rally in South Carolina in February, Trump recounted a conversation with the president of a NATO country, where he indicated that the U.S. would not defend the country in the event of a Russian invasion if it failed to meet its financial obligations.
When questioned by NBC’s Kristen Welker, Vance affirmed that the U.S. would remain a NATO member under Trump’s leadership.
âWe will uphold our NATO membership,â Vance assured, emphasizing the need for wealthier countries like Germany to align their defense spending with their economic capabilities.
âEssentially, it’s the United Kingdom, a few other nations, and the United States,â he informed Welker. âGermany, in particular, must increase its security and defense expenditures.â
Pistorius also called on Europe to step up its efforts.
