US President Donald Trump has made clear he expects NATO allies, including the United Kingdom, to adhere to their defence spending commitments, as controversy swirls around future UK military funding. The White House confirmed the President will not budge on the pledge by NATO members to spend 5% of economic output on defence by 2035.
Starmer's Delayed Defence Plan
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was due to unveil a long-delayed investment plan for the armed forces, but the plan has been plagued by internal government wrangling and ministerial resignations. Sir Keir insists the plan will keep Britain "safe and secure long into the future."
John Healey, who recently quit as defence secretary over the military financial settlement on offer, has warned that the plan "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time." In his resignation letter, Healey suggested the UK was on course to spend only 2.68% of GDP on core defence by 2030, casting doubt on the country's ability to meet the target of 3.5% within the required timeframe.
NATO Summit in Ankara
The row erupted ahead of a crucial NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey next week, where ally members are expected to set out a "credible path" to spending 5% of economic output on defence by 2035. This is split into a 3.5% GDP core defence spending commitment and a 1.5% GDP commitment to wider resilience spending.
A White House official stated: "President Trump expects NATO allies to abide by their 5% defence spending pledge."
Additional Funding Secured
New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis is understood to have secured additional money for the military, taking the total allocation to some £14.5 billion, up from the £13.5 billion offered to Healey. However, this still falls short of the £28 billion officials previously said was needed.
The funding dispute comes at a critical time, with Trump casting doubt on the commitment of the US to NATO, which he previously branded "a paper tiger." Trump says the US has been bankrolling the defence of other countries. Tensions have also risen over Trump's designs on Greenland, which belongs to fellow alliance member Denmark, and the response of allies to the Iran war.
US Review of Forces in Europe
Earlier this month, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of US military forces in Europe as he cast doubt on some members meeting their spending commitments. He argued that some members still seem "to think the era of free-riding is here."
