The two officials “discussed building a stronger, more lethal NATO” and underscored the need to “expand defense industrial base capacity on both sides of the Atlantic,” the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement.
Hegseth, a former Fox News commentator and Army veteran, emphasized that President Donald Trump’s administration remains “fully committed” to bolstering the alliance, provided NATO partners increase their defense spending.
Calls for higher defense spending
Trump has repeatedly urged NATO allies to raise defense budgets to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP)—a target none of the alliance’s 32 members currently meets, including the United States. Last week, Trump questioned whether the U.S. should be “spending anything” on the alliance, telling reporters, “We are protecting them; they are not protecting us.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that U.S. support for NATO will continue “as long as member states pay their fair share,” reiterating Trump’s 5% spending call. Poland is currently closest to that mark, planning to spend an estimated 4.7% of GDP on defense this year, while the United States spent 3.3% in 2024.
After speaking with Hegseth on Wednesday, Rutte wrote on social media platform X that he looked forward to “further ramping up defence spending and defence production for a strong alliance.” He added, “To deter and defend, we have to stay strong, united, and ready—and that’s what NATO does every day.”
Under Trump, U.S. officials have also signaled dissatisfaction with what they view as excessive American support for Ukraine, while urging European allies to shoulder more of the burden. Nonetheless, both Hegseth and Rutte agreed to meet soon in person to discuss shared priorities, according to the Pentagon statement.
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Source: PAP, Reuters