U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO in a high-stakes meeting in Brussels. Emphasizing unity and readiness, Rubio stressed that the strength of the alliance depends on all partners enhancing their defense capabilities.
Rubio declared, "President Trump has made it clear he supports NATO. We are going to remain in NATO," underscoring the U.S. dedication. However, he set an ambitious target, urging allies to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of their gross domestic product—a significant jump from the current 2 percent benchmark. Although he acknowledged that reaching this goal will take time, Rubio insisted on a clear pathway for the alliance to become even stronger.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pointed out that Europe and Canada have recently made the largest defense spending increases since the Cold War. He too stressed that, for the alliance to tackle future security challenges effectively, defense budgets should ideally exceed 3 percent of GDP. This call for enhanced investment comes as geopolitical shifts and emerging technologies continually reshape global security dynamics.
The renewed emphasis on defense spending highlights a broader trend where strategic investments are vital for collective security. For young global citizens, tech enthusiasts, thought leaders, and change-makers, this move signals how readiness and modern capabilities are shaping the future of international alliances and global stability.
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Rubio reaffirms U.S. commitment to NATO but tells allies to spend more
cgtn.com
