Pershing tanks loaded at Detroit Tank Arsenal, 1945.
Q1. There are no meaningful dues that member countries pay to NATO, however since 2014 there has been a "guideline" that requires members spend at least 2% of their GDP on their own defense. At that time the European allies averaged 1.5%, while the US was 3.5%.
Despite behind-the-scenes pressure from former President Obama, Europe spending stayed at 1.5% until 2019, when it began ticking up, most agree due to then President Trump's more forceful jawboning. By 2023 Europe averaged 1.85%, and is projected to average 2% in 2024.
Last week Trump said he would not come to the military aid of a NATO ally who did not meet the 2% guideline. What is your view? (check all that apply)
Despite behind-the-scenes pressure from former President Obama, Europe spending stayed at 1.5% until 2019, when it began ticking up, most agree due to then President Trump's more forceful jawboning. By 2023 Europe averaged 1.85%, and is projected to average 2% in 2024.
Last week Trump said he would not come to the military aid of a NATO ally who did not meet the 2% guideline. What is your view? (check all that apply)
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Like the idea
35%
40%
32%
73%
35%
5%
17%
35%
45%
34%
Don't like
56%
52%
57%
17%
51%
88%
81%
57%
44%
53%
Trump saying this helps NATO
24%
31%
18%
48%
23%
5%
20%
27%
27%
21%
Hurts
49%
47%
49%
15%
45%
77%
69%
53%
40%
44%
Would be policy if Trump re-elected
54%
54%
56%
46%
47%
62%
62%
59%
49%
52%
Would not
13%
20%
5%
13%
17%
12%
23%
17%
7%
9%
None of these
2%
3%
1%
3%
3%
1%
3%
3%
3%
1%
Don't know
1%
0%
3%
0%
3%
2%
1%
2%
1%
1%
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
0%
2%
0%
Q2. As mentioned above, the US spends 3.5% of its GDP on defense, and ranks 10th globally by that measure. The countries that ranks higher are for the most part at war like Ukraine and Israel, or petro-states like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. By comparison, China ranks 24th at 1.6%.
In dollars, the annual US defense budget is tops at $800 billion, China is next at $190 billion, and no other country is over $65 billion.
What do you think are the TWO main reasons US spends so much on defense relative to other large countries? (Please check up to TWO only)
In dollars, the annual US defense budget is tops at $800 billion, China is next at $190 billion, and no other country is over $65 billion.
What do you think are the TWO main reasons US spends so much on defense relative to other large countries? (Please check up to TWO only)
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Disagree we spend much more than others
5%
5%
4%
9%
4%
2%
0%
7%
6%
4%
Defend ourselves
39%
40%
39%
51%
32%
30%
23%
30%
46%
50%
Defend allies
41%
46%
37%
59%
36%
28%
35%
36%
44%
45%
Protect trade interests
40%
44%
34%
40%
37%
41%
48%
46%
37%
32%
Helps domestic economy
18%
22%
15%
15%
15%
21%
21%
17%
17%
18%
Military-Industrial complex
59%
56%
60%
35%
69%
76%
78%
65%
53%
47%
Waste
28%
28%
26%
20%
34%
32%
26%
36%
26%
22%
Paranoia
17%
16%
16%
5%
15%
27%
28%
31%
8%
7%
Inertia - US spending programs only grow
22%
24%
18%
23%
25%
19%
20%
30%
22%
13%
Other
2%
1%
4%
1%
4%
4%
1%
5%
3%
1%
Don't know
0%
0%
1%
1%
1%
0%
0%
0%
1%
1%
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Q3. What do you think are the effects of Europe increasing their defense spending from 1.5% to 2% under pressure from US presidents? (check all that apply)
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
US can now spend less on defense
37%
42%
30%
43%
37%
32%
55%
42%
32%
25%
Cannot
23%
28%
19%
22%
21%
25%
22%
24%
22%
25%
US will now spend less on defense
4%
3%
5%
8%
5%
1%
0%
1%
7%
7%
Will not
59%
69%
48%
48%
57%
68%
88%
66%
47%
49%
US-Europe ties stronger
50%
52%
50%
57%
45%
45%
43%
51%
48%
56%
Weaker
15%
18%
11%
10%
14%
19%
30%
19%
11%
7%
More sales for US arms makers
61%
68%
53%
53%
70%
66%
74%
70%
52%
56%
Less
3%
3%
2%
3%
1%
3%
5%
4%
1%
1%
None of these
3%
1%
4%
3%
4%
2%
0%
3%
4%
3%
Don't know
4%
4%
5%
3%
4%
6%
7%
4%
4%
4%
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
1%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Mar 22, which NATO countries should US defend if attacked?
Low was Turkey (70%), all others above 77%, Canada highest at 85%, Germany, Poland next at 81% .
Dec 2023, in the US, defense spending is 12% of US federal expenditures, health care is 21%, education 13%, welfare 12%. The US spends 3.5% of its GDP on defense, China spends 1.6% of its GDP. Should we spend more, less, or same as we do on defense?
27% More, 31% Same, 38% Less
European NATO defense spending as pct of GDP by year
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