By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Tuesday departed for 3 days NATO summit in The Hague set to open at a crucial occasion for the alliance as it navigates complex global challenges.
Trump is expected to pressure member nations to increase their defence spending beyond the current target of 2 per cent of GDP.
US Department of State said that Trump, has accompanied the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are attending the summit from June 24-25, 2025.
Media reported that Trump has explored a proposal to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP, with a two-tiered approach consisting of 3.5 per cent for “hard military” spending and 1.5 per cent for infrastructure and cyber security.
Some NATO member states have expressed reservations about meeting this target.
NATO is a military and political alliance of 32 member states from Europe and North America.
The summit came after heightened tensions in West Asia, particularly between Israel and Iran.
Trump’s announcement a ceasefire between the two nations has raised hopes for a potential end to the conflict, but the situation remains volatile.
NATO’s stance on Ukraine will be a key topic of discussion, with European leaders hoping to maintain a strong commitment to Ukraine’s defence despite the current US ambivalence toward providing support.
The summit will test NATO’s unity and ability to adapt to a rapidly changing global landscape.
There are concerns about the US commitment to the alliance and potential disagreements over defence spending.
NATO needs to address the growing threat posed by Russia and China, while also navigating the complexities of Brexit and European security.
