At a State Department briefing, the Secretary of State urged NATO allies to pursue a trajectory of increased defense spending that could reach "up to 5%" of GDP over time, while stressing that capability matters more than a simple spending number. "We think that's what NATO allies need to be spending for NATO to face the threats that itself has identified and articulated," he said.

Nut graf: The secretary framed the push for higher defense outlays as part of a broader effort to strengthen partners' capabilities, noting the war in Ukraine and administration pressure as drivers of recent increases. He said most allies are spending more than they were three to five years ago and urged sustained increases ahead of a leaders' meeting in The Hague.

The secretary said the United States would also increase its own defense spending because of its global commitments, including Indo-Pacific obligations, counter-drug work in the Western Hemisphere and efforts to keep Red Sea shipping lanes open. He declined to tie the United States to a specific 5% pledge in the briefing but said the country is "heading there now."

Reporters pressed whether the administration would seek an official NATO target of 5% rather than the alliance's 2% guideline; the secretary said the objective is to build partner capabilities and sustain them over time.