US Reaffirms NATO Commitment, Seeks Higher Spending

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to reassure NATO allies of Washington’s commitment to the alliance during his first meeting with NATO foreign ministers, while echoing President Donald Trump’s call for increased defense spending by European members and Canada.

Standing alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Rubio dismissed concerns about a sudden U.S. withdrawal from Europe, despite growing demands on American military resources worldwide.

“There are no plans for [the U.S.] to all of a sudden draw down their presence here in Europe,” Rutte told reporters. “If the Americans want to pivot more to Asia, obviously we will do that in a coordinated manner.”

Rubio emphasized that the Trump administration supports NATO but expects allies to strengthen their military capabilities. “[Trump] is against a NATO that does not have the capabilities it needs to fulfil the obligations imposed by the treaty,” he said.

The top U.S. diplomat laid out an ambitious demand: a “realistic pathway” for all NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP—more than double the current 2% target that several European nations, including Belgium, Italy, and Spain, have yet to meet.

Media "Hysteria" and the Push for Burden-Sharing

Rubio criticized what he called “hysteria and hyperbole” in media coverage of Trump’s NATO stance, insisting that the U.S. remains fully engaged in the alliance.

“The United States is as active in NATO as it has ever been,” he said. “Some of the speculation about NATO’s future is unwarranted.”

His comments follow Trump’s March statement that the U.S. would not defend allies who fail to meet defense spending obligations. “If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them,” Trump said at the time.

NATO is currently evaluating its defense needs ahead of a summit in June, where a new spending target will be finalized. Rutte noted that European members have already pledged their largest defense budget increases since the Cold War but acknowledged more must be done.

“It’s my assumption that what we need to spend—Canadians and Europeans together—will be north of 3%,” Rutte said.

Rubio conceded that reaching 5% would take time but stressed the urgency of strengthening NATO amid rising global threats. “A full-scale ground war in the heart of Europe is a reminder that hard power is still necessary as a deterrent,” he said.

Interconnected Threats and Troop Presence Questions

Rutte warned that NATO faces interconnected security challenges, including Russian aggression and China’s growing influence.

“We see how the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic theaters are increasingly linked,” he said, citing cooperation between Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.

European allies also await clarity on potential U.S. troop reductions in Europe, where approximately 100,000 American soldiers are stationed. While Rubio did not address the issue directly, Rutte downplayed immediate changes.

“There are no plans for a sudden drawdown,” Rutte said, though some NATO officials speculate the U.S. could reduce its presence by 20,000 to 50,000 troops in the coming years.

Rubio reiterated that the U.S. remains committed to NATO but expects allies to share the burden. “The only way NATO can get stronger is if our partners enhance their capabilities,” he said.

The alliance’s future will be a key topic at June’s summit in The Hague, where leaders will finalize spending targets and strategic priorities.