NATO Summit: Leaders Tweak Language to Address Military Spending Disputes

In an attempt to ease tensions over military spending commitments, NATO leaders at the recent summit in The Hague agreed to an aspirational goal of allocating 5 percent of GDP to defense. However, the phrasing used in the joint communiqué has led to confusion regarding whether this expectation applies universally to all member states. President Trump expressed frustration particularly towards Spain, which has significantly lower defense expenditure, highlighting the ongoing negotiation complexities among NATO allies.

During the NATO meeting held on June 25, 2025, in The Hague, leaders unanimously endorsed a goal to reach 5 percent of their GDP on defense spending. Nonetheless, the language included in the final statement has created ambiguity; it specified “allies” rather than “all allies,” suggesting that not every nation is bound by the same financial target.

President Trump emphasized that he believes most members will step up their contributions, although he was particularly critical of Spain, which spends a mere 1.28 percent of its GDP on defense, as per the latest data. Trump's comments reflected a broader frustration regarding Spain's push for flexibility in the agreement’s wording, which he views as undermining NATO’s collective defense posture.

The adjustments made in the communiqué are part of a compromise negotiated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, aimed at presenting a facade of unity amid differing levels of commitment to defense spending within the alliance.