Nato chief is determined to give Trump a win with 5% defence spending plan2 days ago Share Save Jonathan Beale Defence correspondent Share SaveGetty Images Mark Rutte wants to avoid US criticism of European allies for not spending enough on defenceMark Rutte is determined to give Donald Trump a win at the forthcoming Nato summit. And so at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday, Rutte proposed that Nato members spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence - something Trump has openly called for. The increase - which would more than double Nato members' current target of spending 2% of GDP - is a big ask for many European nations. It'll require nations to increase core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, while the remaining 1.5% will be made up of "defence-related expenditure". Reuters US Defence Secretary Pete Hesgeth joined Rutte at the Nato defence ministers' meeting in Brussels on on Thursday