Despite receiving approval from the White House for Sir Keir Starmer’s commitment to raise the UK’s defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, US President Donald Trump has called for an ambitious increase to 5% among NATO allies.
This statement came as the Prime Minister set off for a pivotal meeting in the US, aimed at bolstering European security and addressing Russian hostilities in Ukraine.
Sir Keir’s decision to escalate the UK’s defence funding from 2.3% to 2.5% was a move to demonstrate Europe’s readiness to shoulder more responsibility for the continent’s security, hastened by Mr. Trump’s shifting policies since his inauguration.
However, the US administration insists that NATO countries need to substantially enhance their investment to rectify what it describes as “years of underfunding in defence capabilities.”
This call for increased expenditure comes as President Trump continues to press for more robust financial commitments to NATO, advocating a significant boost to counteract prolonged underinvestment in the alliance’s defensive strength.
