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Trump Threatens to 'Punish' NATO Countries Not Meeting 5% Defense Spending

Published March 28, 2026, 14:22
Trump Threatens to 'Punish' NATO Countries Not Meeting 5% Defense Spending

Donald Trump is considering a restructuring of NATO, imposing stricter requirements on member countries regarding defense spending. According to reports, Trump is considering a 'pay-to-play' system, where countries that do not contribute 5% of their GDP to defense would be restricted in NATO decision-making, even in times of war. This proposal has raised concerns, as it could undermine the alliance's cohesion. Trump is also reportedly considering withdrawing US troops from Germany, as a sign of dissatisfaction with the European stance. The US government expresses its frustration with the lack of adequate defense spending from some European countries. According to the proposal, allies that do not meet the 5% target would be excluded from decisions regarding NATO expansion, joint missions, and the activation of the mutual defense clause (Article 5). The proposal has sparked reactions, as decisions within NATO require consensus and allies are likely to block any changes. Although all NATO member states already meet the 2% target for defense spending, Trump seeks to significantly increase this percentage. The implementation of the 'pay-to-play' system could lead to significant changes in the way NATO operates and the relationships between its members.