US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the United States pays a disproportionate share for Europe's security, describing the financial burden as "billions of dollars too much." Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the start of the alliance's summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said he would raise his concerns directly with allies.
Trump's Criticism of NATO Burden Sharing
"We've been treated unfairly. We pay disproportionately," Trump stated, adding that the US spends "billions of dollars too much" to ensure Europe's security. He also cited Greenland and Iran as areas of concern during his remarks. Trump's comments come amid ongoing debates over Washington's military commitment to the alliance.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, however, highlighted progress in defence spending. He welcomed the additional USD 258 billion committed by European allies and Canada for 2025 and 2026, calling the figure "staggering."
NATO's Defence Investment and New Projects
At the summit's defence industry forum, Rutte announced that member countries are signing defence agreements worth "literally billions of dollars." According to CNN, Rutte said allies are launching "new major projects" to strengthen military capabilities. "These are billions that are invested in our security, boosting our economies and supporting hundreds of thousands of new jobs. It's money well spent," Rutte said.
The alliance issued a statement detailing plans to procure five "high-end, high-altitude and long-endurance uncrewed aircraft" from Northrop Grumman and invest USD 40 billion in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years. The counter-drone initiative will be paired with a target to "train five times as many drone operators by the end of 2027."
Drone Warfare and Surveillance Upgrades
"Drones have fundamentally altered the character of modern warfare and become a decisive factor on the battlefield," the alliance stated. "These initiatives will be essential to increase both Alliance readiness and resilience."
Additionally, NATO announced plans to replace its ageing fleet of E3 surveillance aircraft with up to 10 GlobalEye aircraft manufactured by Swedish defence company SAAB. Some components and production will involve the United States and Canada. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson described the programme as "a moment of great pride for Sweden."
Context: Trump's Longstanding Criticism
Trump has frequently criticised NATO allies for not meeting the alliance's defence spending guideline of 2% of GDP. His remarks at the summit underscore ongoing tensions over burden sharing, even as NATO members have increased spending in recent years. Rutte acknowledged the alliance's "remarkable progress" on this front, a key point of discussion with Trump.
