Hegseth Announces Six-Month Review of U.S. Posture as Part of NATO 3.0
June 18, 2026 | Sundance |
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is in Brussels, Belgium, for a NATO summit and meeting of all NATO defense ministers.As noted by Secretary Hegseth, “going forward, our annual NATO dues will be contingent on other countries meeting their defense spending targets; where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down,” Hegseth said. “NATO will be a two-way street. It’s only common sense.America cannot care for or pay more for Europe’s defense than our allies do.”
Specifically pointing toward Canada and Prime Minister Mark Carney, Secretary Hegseth noted some are not fulfilling their obligations while simultaneously talking about “middle powers” assembling. WATCH (prompted)
PRESS STATEMENT – The War Department plans to review its posture and footprint in Europe to determinehow the U.S. is supporting NATO, how partners are supporting NATOand whether what’s happening on the ground reflects what President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth believe the alliance should be.
“We’re doubling downon our effort to make NATO what it always wassupposed to be: a balanced alliance with Europe in the lead for its own defense — NATO 3.0,”Hegseth said today during an address to NATO in Brussels.
Thereview, Hegseth said, would last up to six months — though it could be shorter — and will take input from both U.S. and European military commands.
“It will involve consultations with the U.S. Congress and with our allies,” Hegseth said. “It will be designed to ensure thatNATO is moving fastand irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe, stepping up to ensureour forces are postured for America’s global needsand stepping up to make sure that our access, basing and overflight are clearly delineated and assured.”
Since Trump took office in 2025, Hegseth and the president have beenunwavering in what it is they expect from NATO: that the alliance will pull its own weight in terms of defense funds spent and that Europe will take the lead in maintaining its defense.
“Going forward, our annual NATO dues will be contingenton other countries meeting their defense spending targets; where other allies do not spend with urgency, our dues contributions will go down,” Hegseth said.“NATO will be a two-way street. It’s only common sense. America cannot care for or pay more for Europe’s defense than our allies do.”
The U.S., under thepresident, has pushed NATO partners to contribute 5%of gross domestic product toward defense. And Hegseth said many nations are already on board with that — as well as with other efforts needed tostrengthen the NATO alliance, such as rebuilding the defense industrial base. (read more)
(I think these other countries forgot how badly they treated the U.S. when the Iran matter started. Trump has an Elephants memory.)
FULL REMARKS: Pete Hegseth Outlines 'NATO 3.0' To European Defense Ministers
14:48
War Sec. Pete Hegseth speaks at the NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium.
https://youtu.be/JxSEDOHUiGs
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2026/06/18/hegseth-announces-six-month-review-of-u-s-posture-as-part-of-nato-3-0/
It’s kind of funny he says this after the EU meeting was over with, so the U.S. could give the mandates to continue the U.S. after the Iran defeat.