Asia Pacific Countries Should Be Able to Raise Defence Spend to 5 Percent: White House

The Trump administration is pressuring Spain’s leadership amid a broader push to raise European defence spending.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles speaks to the press during the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. Pierre Crom/Getty Images

Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles has issued a measured response amid pressure from the Trump administration for European allies to bolster defence spending to 5 percent of GDP.

The move was followed by comments from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt who said Asia-Pacific allies should have no issue raising their defence spending to similar levels.