NATO leaders agree on defense spending increase

NATO leaders on Wednesday committed to a significant increase in military spending, agreeing to a new target of allocating 5 percent of each member country's gross domestic product to defense by 2035. This marks a major shift from the current benchmark of 2 percent. The decision, announced in a summit declaration following a meeting in the Netherlands, reflects growing pressure from President Donald Trump, who has long urged allies to boost their defense budgets. In Washington, he continues to push for the passage of a major tax and immigration package currently under consideration in the Senate.