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NATO Leaders Push Defense Spending Amid Migration Disputes

10/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

At the NATO summit, leaders agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, from 2%.
Finland’s defense minister Antti Häkkänen urged Southern European countries, including Italy and Portugal, to contribute on migration.
Some Northern European officials say the target is insufficient given the Ukraine war.
Sánchez declined to commit, prompting President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to threaten tariffs against Spain for not aligning with NATO goals.

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Story summary

At the NATO summit, leaders agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, from 2%.
Finland’s defense minister Antti Häkkänen urged Southern European countries, including Italy and Portugal, to contribute on migration.
Some Northern European officials say the target is insufficient given the Ukraine war.
Sánchez declined to commit, prompting President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to threaten tariffs against Spain for not aligning with NATO goals.