NATO members on Wednesday agreed to significantly boost defense spending in a move celebrated by U.S. President Donald Trump as a "monumental win" for America, while he reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to defending its European allies.
Trump cut a jubilant figure after NATO's 32 countries agreed to his headline target of 5% of GDP on defense spending following two days of talks in The Hague.
Taking credit for a "fantastic" outcome that "no one really thought possible," Trump described the spending hike as "a monumental win for the United States."
Trump also signed off on a final declaration confirming an "ironclad commitment" to NATO's collective defense pledge that an attack on one is an attack on all – a reassuring move for European countries worried about Russia.
The US leader has repeatedly suggested Washington could withhold protection from European countries unwilling to spend more on defense.
