“It is absurd to ask Europeans to spend more on defense while launching a trade war,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday following the NATO summit in The Hague. He stressed the need to restore “real commercial peace” among allies, denouncing growing tariff barriers and internal economic friction within the Alliance.
Macron also emphasized that Russia remains NATO’s primary threat, but warned that military coordination should not come at the cost of economic unity.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed Spain will not allocate more than 2.1% of GDP to defense, arguing that this level is “realistic and compatible with the social welfare model.”
NATO member countries committed to investing up to 5% of their GDP in defense and broader security by 2035, as per the summit’s final communiqué. The plan includes 3.5% for military spending and 1.5% for broader security, such as cyber defense and critical infrastructure protection.
The new target marks a sharp increase from the previous 2% goal and aims to strengthen collective defense amid global instability.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) voiced concern that increasing military budgets could negatively impact public services.
“The EU must stop raiding already insufficient social funds,” said ETUC Secretary General Esther Lynch. “Governments should ensure the financial burden doesn’t fall on workers, retirees, or vulnerable groups.”
She also warned that military spending should not simply lead to more profits for weapons manufacturers, but be aligned with democratic and social priorities.