Energy News Beat
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Donald Trump’s insistence that Europe shares more of the burden for its own defence is an opportunity, Emmanuel Macron said on Friday, as France pushes for a Europe-first approach in the EU’s defence industry plans.
The French president agrees with his American counterpart’s view that Europe must take more responsibility for its own defence and security, according to an interview published this morning in the Financial Times.
“What Trump is saying to Europe is that it is up to you to carry the burden. And I say, it is up to us to take it on,” Macron told the FT.
The comments come as many European leaders condemned the US administration’s approach to the Ukraine conflict, with the German defence minister calling unforced American concessions to Russia over Ukraine “regrettable”.
Paris has been the loudest advocate for allowing EU funds to be spent exclusively on European arms. It has struggled to gain broad support for its position in current discussions over the EU’s proposed Defence Industrial Programme, which would establish a common spending pot for Europe’s rearmament.
With one of the largest defence industries in Europe, France would benefit extensively from more guaranteed orders being placed by EU countries, while other European countries have advocated for a more pragmatic approach which allows EU purchases from third country allies.
On Thursday, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth emphasised that although the Trump administration “deeply believes in alliances”, Trump would not allow “anyone to turn Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker”, asking European allies to spend 5% of their GDP on defence.
When asked about the US, which currently spends about 3.5% of its GDP on defence, Hegseth argued the 5% rule should not apply.
Trump wants Europe to spend its increased defence funds on American weapons, Bloomberg reported this week.
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