NATO Drops $3 Billion in New Deals as Trump Arrives to Slam Allies
NATO leaders opened a summit in Ankara on Thursday with a $3 billion show of force, even as President Donald Trump arrived ready to attack allies over spending and security.
The Netherlands announced over $3 billion in new defense contracts at the summit, a move seen as compliance with U.S. demands for increased military spending [190916]. The announcement came as Trump prepared for a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy [190916].
Trump arrived in Ankara with a list of grievances against key allies. He attacked Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for refusing to meet the 5% GDP military spending target, calling Spain "a disaster" [190443]. Spain currently spends 2.1% of GDP on defense and insists it has already met its military capability goals [190443]. Madrid also dismissed threats of base closures, saying closing U.S. bases at Rota or Morón would not hurt Spain’s defense, pointing to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) treaty [190443].
Trump also clashed with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Before leaving, Trump posted a photo of Meloni on Truth Social with the caption: "A restraining order is needed" [190442]. Meloni fired back on Instagram, saying: "These constant and unjustified attacks are absurd. My popularity depends on defending Italy’s national interest" [190442]. The feud started when Trump told an Italian journalist that Meloni "begged" him for a photo at the Group of Seven (G7) summit. Meloni denied this, calling it "an invention" [190442].
The president was also frustrated with allies who refused to provide military bases and overflight rights for Operation Epic Fury against Iran, a rift that threatens to dominate alliance talks [190834].
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Trump will continue using a "reward and punishment" policy [190443]. "If one or two allies still need convincing, we have ways to do it," Rutte said, mentioning Germany [190443]. Rutte also urged members to stay alert to China’s growing military power, arguing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and Europe is now "more intertwined" [190780].
The focus at the summit will be on building a new model for the alliance, with Trump pushing to do less and pressuring other members to do more [190868].