NATO Allies Brace for Trump Demands at Ankara Summit as 5% Spending Pledge Looms
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 17
NATO Allies Brace for Trump Demands at Ankara Summit as 5% Spending Pledge Looms
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 17
Summary
NATO allies arrived in Ankara expecting a difficult July 7-8 summit, with officials preparing to fend off Donald Trump’s complaints over burden-sharing, loyalty and allied cooperation.
Trump’s grievances extended beyond defense budgets: he was angry at Denmark over Greenland and at Italy and Spain for refusing airfields for bombing runs against Iran.
Mark Rutte tried to keep the meeting focused on alliance unity, urging Trump to claim credit for last year’s breakthrough when most members pledged to spend 5% of GDP on defense and security by 2035.
That pledge shaped the summit’s atmosphere, with some European leaders wearing “5% Club” pins as they sought to show compliance and avoid a public rupture with Washington.