BRUSSELS – US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on June 18 hailed progress by NATO allies to meet defence spending vows, but said some must “do more”, as he struck a conciliatory tone at an alliance meeting.

“Many countries following through, some that still need to do more, and we will be candid about that, both in private and in public,” Hegseth said ahead of talks with NATO defence ministers in Brussels.

“I think that’s important – friends being honest with friends.”

The warm tone will likely reassure Washington’s allies ahead of a summit with US President Donald Trump in July – after the mercurial leader lashed out at Europe over its response to his war on Iran.

NATO will look to showcase increased expenditure by Europe to prove to Trump that it is progressing on a pledge in 2025 to reach 5 per cent of gross domestic product on defence-related spending.

“When it comes to spending, what we are seeing is staggering amounts of money coming in,” NATO chief Mark Rutte said.

“Europe and Canada spending in 2025 more than US$90 billion (S$115.9 billion) extra compared with in 2024, which is almost a 20 per cent increase in defence spending.”

Despite the positive spin from the alliance, a NATO official said that three European countries, including Slovenia and the Czech Republic, are currently on course to fall short of a crucial 2 per cent threshold in 2026.

Washington has been clear with Europe that it wants NATO allies on the continent ...