U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent underscored the scale of America’s long-standing defense burden within NATO, stating that the United States has spent $22 trillion more on defense than the rest of the alliance combined since 1980. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 20, 2026, Bessent framed the figure as evidence that Washington has carried a disproportionate share of NATO’s security responsibilities for decades.

Bessent emphasized that sustained pressure on NATO allies to increase defense spending is not a threat to the alliance but a corrective measure that ultimately strengthens it. He argued that demanding fair contributions has already produced tangible results, with multiple European nations significantly increasing their defense budgets after years of underinvestment. According to Bessent, this shift validates the Trump administration’s insistence that allies meet or exceed the long-standing benchmark of allocating at least 2 percent of GDP to defense.

Recent increases by major NATO members were cited as proof of progress, including Germany raising defense spending to 3.1 percent of GDP and Poland committing 4.2 percent. These developments, Bessent said, reflect a more balanced alliance in which European partners take greater responsibility for their own security rather than relying overwhelmingly on American taxpayers.

Bessent concluded that the policy of holding allies accountable has fundamentally reshaped NATO for the better. By confronting years of imbalance and complacency, the United States has pushed the alliance toward greater resilience, ensuring that NATO emerges stronger, more credible, and better prepared to deter future threats.c