US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US will no longer allow NATO countries to finance their defense at the expense of American taxpayers. This statement came following criticism from Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who previously voiced concerns about a potential weakening of US military support for Europe.

Rubio emphasized that NATO itself is not at risk, but the real threat comes from alliance members who have reduced their military budgets for decades while expecting protection from the US. According to him, Western European countries have deliberately kept their defense spending low, relying on American military power instead.

Economic Burden on the US and Demands for Allies
Rubio pointed out that many NATO states allocate only 1–1.5% of their GDP to defense, while the US spends around 3.4% of its GDP annually on military expenditures. Under these conditions, he argued, it is unfair to expect Washington to continue ensuring Europe's security unilaterally.

"Some allies have grown accustomed to the US shouldering all major military costs. But that period is over. The time has come for wealthy European nations to invest in their own defense," Rubio stated.

Trump’s Previous Warnings to NATO
Rubio’s statement aligns with Donald Trump’s position, as he had harshly criticized NATO defense budgets back in 2020, arguing that even the 2% GDP target was insufficient.

Trump had proposed raising the defense spending benchmark to 5% of GDP and even threatened to withdraw the US from NATO if allies failed to meet these conditions. His stance sparked disagreements among European leaders, but Washington has continued to push for fairer burden-sharing in military expenses.

Financial Gap Within the Alliance
According to World Bank data for 2023, the US spends about 3.4% of its GDP on defense, whereas the NATO average is 1.9% of GDP. Countries like Germany, Italy, and Spain spend less than 1.5%, falling short of the alliance’s target levels.

If NATO allies do not revise their budgets, the US may implement new measures, including a reduction of military presence in Europe. This could shift the balance of power in the region and heighten tensions among NATO members.

Consequences and Possible Steps for Europe
Following Rubio’s statement, European countries may be forced to increase their defense budgets, especially given the worsening geopolitical landscape.

The main potential consequences of this decision include:

• Accelerated rearmament of NATO countries.
• Formation of new European coalitions for military cooperation.
• Greater EU independence in security matters.

Some nations have already begun exploring alternative ways to finance their militaries and enhance Europe’s defense autonomy. However, it remains unclear how quickly NATO allies can adapt to the new US demands.

Washington continues to insist that the alliance should be based on equal contributions, and that European countries must take responsibility for their own security at the same level as the US.

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