Belgium rejects US proposal for NATO members to bump up defense spending to 5% of GDP as 'unfeasible'

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever on Friday rejected the US proposal for NATO member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, calling it "unfeasible" and "not realistic."

In an interview with public broadcaster RTBF on Thursday, De Wever criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's suggestion that NATO member states spend up to 5% of their GDP on defense.

"5% in the short term is unfeasible," De Wever explained, emphasizing that it is "not realistic."

He found the US demand “complicated,” as Washington “launches a trade war” and “constantly insults and humiliates” its European allies.

He, however, reiterated the need for a mutual “friendship.”

Meanwhile, De Wever met with Rubio in the Belgian capital of Brussels on Friday.

“Our country has a long tradition of working together with the US,” De Wever wrote on X.

He did, however, express optimism that the "unfortunate trade dispute" between the US and Europe could be resolved.

“Let us maintain and strengthen the Transatlantic partnership and free trade relations which have kept the Western world secure and prosperous throughout recent history,” he added.