The Donald Trump administration has always been firm in their demand that NATO European members increase their defense spendingespecially as the US focuses more on the Indo-Pacific.
Although European officials agree that Europe must strengthen its defense, there is a growing concern for US reliability as a weapon supplier. “It is a point that the Secretary (Marco Rubio) has raised and will continue to raise,” an anonymous official of the State Department.
Although the US supports the European impulse to increase defense spending, it also emphasizes that industrial cooperation in defense between Washington and Europe is essential to strengthen the alliance. “The US defense companies are an integral part of the transatlantic industrial base and global supply chains”explains a state department spokesman.
From the point of view of this source, maintain the NATO interoperability It requires that all allies work together to Build defense capabilities.
Despite the efforts to increase the manufacture of weapons within Europe, The EU continues to depend on US weapons. In order to achieve more independence, the plan ReArm Europewhich aims release more than 860,000 million dollars for military investmentspromoting the manufacture of European weapons.
However, Some EU countries are being more cautious about the US weapons completely. A European official said that “there is a appetite for buying European alternatives Whenever possible and treat the acquisition ‘case by case’ “.
On the other hand, France has pressed for European countries to adopt continental defense contracts. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has suggested that European countries should opt for the SAMP/T Air Defense System, A European alternative to the American Patriot system. “My intention is to convince European states that have become accustomed to buying American products,” he told the French media in March.
The US remains the main weapon supplier worldwide, representing 43% of world weapons exports. European officials also recognize that, although Europe seeks to strengthen their industry, American weapons remain crucial to guarantee NATO’s security.
