Nato commits to higher spending sought by Trump and mutual defence

US leader says he stands by commitment to collective defence after using less clear-cut language earlier

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THE HAGUE - Nato leaders on June 25 backed the big increase in defence spending that US President Donald Trump had demanded, and restated their commitment to defend one another from attack.

While Mr Trump got what he wanted at the brief summit, tailor-made for him, his Nato allies will be relieved that he committed to the fundamental principle of collective defence after less clear-cut language on June 24.

In a five-point statement, Nato endorsed a higher defence spending goal of 5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035 - a response not only to Mr Trump but also to Europeans' fears that Russia poses a growing threat to their security following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The 32 allies' brief communique added: "We reaffirm our ironclad commitment to collective defence as enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty - that an attack on one is an attack on all."

Asked to clarify his own stance on Article 5, Mr Trump said: "I stand with it. That's why I'm here. If I didn't stand with it, I wouldn't be here."

Mr Trump had long demanded in no uncertain terms that other countries step up their spending on defence to reduce Nato's heavy reliance on the US.

Despite an appearance of general agreement, French President Emmanuel Macron raised the issue of the steep import tariffs threatened by Mr Trump, and the damage they may do to transatlantic trade, as a barrier to increased defence spending.

"You cannot come to us as allies and ask that we spend more, tell us we will spend more at Nato - and do a trade war. It's an aberration," he told reporters.