US NATO Ambassador Nominee: "Alliance Collective Defense Will Be Ironclad"

"Top Priority: 5% of GDP for Defense Spending"

Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador nominee to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), emphasized that collective defense among NATO allies will remain strong.

Matthew Whitaker, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Nominee. Reuters Yonhap News

According to the Associated Press and other sources on the 4th (local time), Whitaker appeared before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee for a confirmation hearing to explain the Trump administration's European security policy stance.

Whitaker stated, "President Trump has made it clear that the U.S. and NATO are committed to the principle of peace through strength," emphasizing that Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which defines collective defense, "will be ironclad."

However, he cited the expansion of defense spending by NATO member countries as a key prerequisite. He said, "A major priority is to have allies spend 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense," adding, "I hope to verify when I arrive in Brussels, Belgium, that the allies are truly committed."

He also said, "There is no doubt that Europe and Canada can and want to do more," adding, "I believe they will do what is necessary to make NATO the strongest alliance in history."

Following the war in Ukraine, most NATO member countries have raised their defense spending to about 2% of GDP, but President Trump is demanding 5%. NATO plans to hold a summit in The Hague, Netherlands, in June to discuss raising the defense spending target.

The European Union (EU) also announced a plan to increase defense spending by 800 billion euros after President Trump completely halted military support to Ukraine. The plan involves each member country increasing defense spending to 1.5% of GDP and covering the shortfall through joint borrowing.

Meanwhile, regarding the U.S. opposition to a resolution condemning Russia's invasion alongside Russia, China, and North Korea at the United Nations General Assembly, Whitaker said, "Everything must be viewed in context."