US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stark message to NATO allies, declaring they can no longer depend on American military might for their security, according to Politico.
Speaking ahead of a NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Hegseth emphasised that while the United States remains committed to the alliance, European members must significantly bolster their own defence capabilities.
The United States is proud to be here, to stand with our allies, but our message is gonna continue to be clear: It’s deterrence and peace through strength, but it cannot be reliance. It cannot and will not be reliance on America. It can’t just be US capabilities.
The defence secretary’s remarks come as NATO ministers prepare to discuss updated capability targets and a proposed new defence spending goal of 5% of GDP, a substantial increase from the current 2% benchmark. Hegseth stressed the need for equitable burden-sharing, asserting:
The reason I’m here is to make sure every country in NATO understands every shoulder has to be to the plow, every country has to contribute at that level of 5 per cent.
He expressed confidence that an agreement on the heightened spending target would be finalised during the upcoming NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague.
The defence secretary’s comments follow months of uncertainty sparked by US President Donald Trump’s repeated questioning of Washington’s dedication to NATO’s collective defence principle under Article 5. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker sought to allay concerns.
Our commitment to Article 5 remains, but we also think it’s reasonable that our Allies be also committed to Article 3, which includes their individual defence and the collective defence.
The Brussels meeting marks a critical juncture for NATO as European members grapple with potential implications of shifting US priorities. Hegseth’s uncompromising stance signals a new era for the alliance, where American support may become increasingly conditional on European nations taking greater responsibility for their own defence.
