U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s call for NATO allies to increase defense spending to an unprecedented 5% of GDP has sparked resistance from Canada and other member nations struggling to meet even the current 2% target.
At a Glance
- U.S. is pushing NATO members to commit to 5% of GDP for defense spending, more than double the current 2% target
- Canada spent only 1.37% of GDP on defense last year, with all major political parties pledging to reach 2% but rejecting the 5% proposal
- U.S. currently spends 3.2% of its GDP on defense, making the 5% target seem unrealistic to many allies
- European nations have varying timelines and strategies, with the UK aiming for 2.5% by 2027, France targeting 3-3.5%, and Poland allocating 4.12% for 2024
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged significant increases in European defense spending but avoided endorsing the 5% figure
American Push Meets Allied Resistance
At a recent NATO meeting in Brussels, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated President Donald Trump’s demand that alliance members dramatically increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. This proposal significantly exceeds NATO’s current guideline of 2%, which many members, including Canada, haven’t yet achieved. While Rubio acknowledged the target wouldn’t be reached immediately, he emphasized the need for allies to establish “a realistic pathway” toward substantially higher spending levels as global security threats increase.
This aggressive stance has generated concern among NATO partners, particularly since the United States itself currently allocates approximately 3.2% of its GDP to defense. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly pointed to this discrepancy when questioned about the proposal, suggesting that if the U.S. hasn’t reached the 5% benchmark, expecting other nations to exceed that level may be unreasonable. Despite this resistance, America’s outsized role in NATO funding—contributing $916 billion to defense last year, representing 40% of global military spending—lends weight to its demands.
— Sentinel (@SentinelTeamHQ) March 3, 2025
Canada’s Political Consensus on Defense Limits
Canadian political leaders across the spectrum have uniformly rejected the 5% proposal while expressing varying degrees of commitment to meeting the existing 2% target. Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly emphasized Canada’s dedication to increasing defense spending and supporting NATO’s stance against Russian aggression. The upcoming Canadian election has highlighted defense policy differences, with each party offering distinct approaches to military funding without embracing the American proposal.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, who’s running for re-election as the Liberal candidate in the Montreal-area riding of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, told reporters in Brussels that Canada is committed to boosting its defense spending.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney has pledged to meet the 2% target before 2030, focusing on modernizing recruitment processes and addressing the Canadian Armed Forces’ shortage of over 14,000 members. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre supports reaching the 2% benchmark without specifying a timeline, suggesting funding could come from trade revenues and foreign aid reductions. Meanwhile, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has committed to the 2% target by 2032, prioritizing military housing, wages, and Canadian-built equipment.
European Allies Present Mixed Responses
European NATO members have offered varied reactions to the 5% proposal, with most considering it unrealistic in the near term. The United Kingdom has announced plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, significantly below the American target. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated France aims to reach 3-3.5% while emphasizing the importance of European countries purchasing European-made military equipment rather than simply increasing spending figures.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he wants NATO members to spend at least five per cent of their GDP on defense, which U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio repeated at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed direct skepticism about the 5% figure, describing it as unrealistic at present. Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel likewise voiced concerns, noting Portugal’s more modest goal of reaching 2% in the near term. Poland stands as a notable exception among European allies, having allocated 4.12% of its GDP to defense for 2024, driven by heightened security concerns given its proximity to Russia and Ukraine.
Strategic Objectives Behind the Demand
Some diplomatic observers suggest Rubio’s ambitious 5% proposal may function as a negotiating tactic designed to pressure NATO members into at least meeting the current 2% target. Many alliance members continue to fall short of this existing benchmark despite previous commitments. By setting an exceptionally high target, American officials may hope to create urgency around defense spending increases that might otherwise face domestic political resistance in various member states.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte offered a diplomatic response to the American proposal, noting significant increases in European defense spending since the Cold War while avoiding direct comment on the 5% figure. Rutte affirmed that the United States remains a reliable NATO partner despite tensions over spending commitments. As NATO prepares for its upcoming summit, these funding discussions will likely intensify as the alliance grapples with evolving threats from Russia, China, and global terrorism.
