Trump has stated a goal of getting NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, January 21, that he will push for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP.

"NATO should pay more money. NATO has to pay 5%," Trump emphasized while speaking to reporters in the oval office of the White House.

He also complained that the US has spent $200 billion more than other countries on military aid to Ukraine and said it would have to "level things out."

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The Financial Times reported on December 20, 2024 that the new US president will require NATO member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. He also plans to continue military aid to Ukraine.

The next day, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Trump's desire to ask NATO countries to increase defense spending by 5% of GDP would be a killer for Budapest. The politician noted that Hungary's achievement of the defense spending target of 2% of GDP has already required significant efforts and sacrifices.