In 2023, only 11 out of the 31 nations that make up NATO met the alliance's guidelines on military spending, according to estimates published by NATO in July. Former President Donald Trump's recent remarks suggesting that NATO allies failing to meet defense spending guidelines should not receive protection have drawn criticism from the White House and NATO's leader.

Trump's comments, made during a campaign event in South Carolina, raised concerns about the safety of U.S. troops and their allies, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stating that they put lives at risk. President Joe Biden described Trump's remarks as "shocking" and "un-American," emphasizing that the commitment to NATO is "sacred."

NATO, formed in 1949 in the aftermath of World War II, currently consists of 31 nations, including European countries, Canada, and the United States. A crucial aspect of NATO's treaty is Article 5, which deals with collective defense, stating that an attack on any member country is an attack on all. However, invoking Article 5 requires agreements from all allies and has only been done once, following the 9/11 attacks on the U.S.

While NATO allies choose to contribute troops and funding to the alliance voluntarily, defense spending guidelines have been set to ensure military preparedness. In 2014, NATO leaders made a commitment to allocate at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) to defense spending, in response to geopolitical tensions. This agreement was renewed in 2023.

In terms of meeting the defense spending guidelines, only three countries met the 2% mark a decade ago. However, the latest estimates indicate that more NATO countries are projected to meet the 2% threshold in 2024. Notably, all European allies are expected to spend 2% of their GDP on defense in 2024 for the first time ever, according to Stoltenberg.

In terms of specific contributions, the United States is estimated to spend 3.49% of its GDP on defense in 2023, amounting to roughly $860 million. Poland leads the pack by allocating 3.9% of its GDP (over $29 million), while Greece is estimated to spend over $7 million, surpassing the 3% mark. The top contributors overall are the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with each country accounting for more than 5% of total NATO defense spending.

It is worth noting that the United States contributes almost double the amount of its GDP compared to all European allies and Canada combined. The United States has consistently been the primary contributor to NATO defense expenditures since the alliance's inception, with its spending notably increasing after the 9/11 attacks.

As NATO defense ministers prepare to meet, Stoltenberg released the latest spending numbers, highlighting an "unprecedented rise" in defense spending. Additionally, all NATO countries were found to have allocated more than 20% of their estimated 2023 defense budgets on equipment, meeting the guideline set in the 2014 agreement.

The discussion surrounding NATO defense spending underscores the importance of meeting guidelines to ensure the alliance's collective defense capabilities. As nations work towards fulfilling their commitments, the focus remains on strengthening NATO's military preparedness and addressing geopolitical challenges in the years ahead.