U.S. Cuts NATO Assets as Europe Fills Gaps and Trump Cites $999 Billion Burden
Updated
Updated · TIME · Jul 3
U.S. Cuts NATO Assets as Europe Fills Gaps and Trump Cites $999 Billion Burden
3 articles · Updated · TIME · Jul 3
Summary
A month after notifying allies, Washington began reducing military assets assigned to NATO, and the alliance says European members have already covered most of the shortfall.
The move is meant to curb what U.S. officials call an “unhealthy co-dependence” on American forces, while a six-month Pentagon review examines U.S. troop posture and basing in Europe.
Trump renewed pressure before next week’s NATO summit in Ankara, calling the alliance “one-sided” and highlighting U.S. spending of $999 billion versus Poland’s $44.3 billion.
Iran war tensions sharpened the dispute after some allies denied U.S. access to joint bases for offensive operations, prompting Trump to say “they were not there for us.”
Germany pushed back Friday, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying Berlin will double its defense budget within four years as allies work toward a 5% of GDP target by 2035.