All NATO members will reach the 2% of GDP defense spending target this year, according to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Canada and Portugal were the last NATO members to announce plans to meet the 2% target in 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump has previously pressured NATO members to increase defense spending, suggesting the target be raised to 5% of GDP.
NATO agreed on this 2% target in 2014 after Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea, with U.S. pressure and Trumpโs threats pushing members to increase spending.