On July 7, 2026, US President Donald Trump voiced his disappointment with NATO during the first day of the summit in Ankara, Turkiye. The summit, which gathered leaders from the mutual defense alliance, highlighted existing tensions over European defense spending, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and discussions surrounding Greenland.
Trump's Criticism of NATO Allies
During a news conference alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump criticized NATO allies for their lack of support during the US-Israel conflict over Iran. He stated, “We weren’t treated well because we did something in Iran,” pointing out that countries like Italy, Germany, and France had turned down US requests for assistance. Trump emphasized the disparity in defense spending, questioning, “Why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars when they’re not there for us?”
He also acknowledged the importance of his relationship with Turkiye, saying, “We have a very good relationship,” and hinted at lifting sanctions and considering the sale of F-35s to Turkiye.
NATO's Defense Spending Goals
The summit's agenda included discussions on increasing defense budgets among NATO members, a goal that Trump has long advocated. Updated data indicates that only five NATO members are expected to meet the alliance's target of spending 3.5 percent of their GDP on defense by 2026. This marks an increase from the previous 2 percent goal established in The Hague last year.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called for “clear, concrete and credible plans” for defense spending, emphasizing the need for vigilance against threats from countries like China, North Korea, and Russia. Analysts suggest that Trump's assertive stance is prompting European countries to reconsider their defense expenditures.
