NATO officials push back on Trump‑mandated 5% defence spending goal

Italy and the United Kingdom have said they will not reach the 5 % of gross domestic product defence spending target demanded by US President Donald Trump, a figure set at the 2025 NATO summit in The Hague. Both countries cite financing constraints; the UK is currently at about 2.6 % and Italy faces similar budget pressures. Spain also refused to commit to the 5 % level, pledging instead to match allies’ capabilities while keeping spending near 3 % of GDP.

NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte later clarified a comment in which he referred to Trump as “papi”. Rutte said the term was a mistranslation of “padre,” accepted responsibility for the slip, and noted that Trump turned the phrase into a light‑hearted slogan.