The Trump administration’s foreign policy endeavors may seem perplexing at times: Why rename the Gulf of Mexico? What’s the deal with the Greenland annexation talk? And does anyone truly desire adding Canadians to the U.S. Senate? Yet, the president is correct in pointing out that allies have been transferring the burden of their defense costs to the United States for years, while relying on the U.S. to address primarily European issues. With the U.S. government overspending, it’s time for NATO allies to step up, as recently suggested by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Straight Talk for Europe
At a recent meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, Hegseth, a former infantry officer in Afghanistan and Iraq who later held prominent roles with Fox News and the Trump administration, asserted, “The United States remains committed to the NATO alliance and to the defense partnership with Europe, period. But the U.S. will no longer accept an unbalanced relationship that fosters dependency.” Hegseth emphasized the need for capable European and non-European troops to support security guarantees negotiated for Ukraine, but clarified that these troops should be part of a non-NATO mission, with no U.S. troops deployed to Ukraine.
Hegseth stressed America’s global security obligations, especially concerning China, indicating that with NATO, the focus would be on empowering Europe to take responsibility for its own security. He urged U.S. allies to surpass the alliance’s 2-percent-of-GDP defense spending target, which most currently fall short of, and aim for 5 percent.
The A.P. reported that Hegseth’s address has caused upheaval within the world’s largest military alliance. However, the message was not unexpected, and the strain on American resources due to competing priorities was acknowledged. French President Emmanuel Macron promptly called a meeting of European leaders to discuss European security, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged that Europe and Canada have not met their defense spending obligations over the past four decades. “The U.S. is right to call for a rebalancing,” Rutte stated.
Poland, with historical concerns about Moscow’s intentions, is nearing the 5 percent defense spending target. Last year, Polish President Andrzej Duda commended the U.S. for defending Europe and supporting Ukraine, but urged other NATO countries to enhance their military capabilities.
Unequal Defense Commitments
Since the Cold War, most European nations have maintained minimal military expenditures, relying on the U.S. to handle potential threats. This trend persisted even after Russian forces entered Ukraine. According to The Wall Street Journal, as of December 2023, the British military, Europe’s largest defense spender and a key U.S. ally, has only about 150 deployable tanks and roughly a dozen operational long-range artillery pieces. France, the second-largest spender, possesses fewer than 90 heavy artillery pieces, equivalent to Russia’s monthly losses
Germany’s military has enough ammunition for two days of battle, but NATO’s latest annual report reveals that the U.S. represents 53 percent of the GDP of all alliance countries and contributes 67 percent of defense expenditures. The alliance sets a goal for members to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense, with only 11 out of 32 members meeting that benchmark in the latest report. Among those falling short are Canada, France, and Germany, despite being wealthy nations capable of significant contributions to defense. Germany claims to have reached the 2 percent target in its latest budget, while Canada has stated it will never meet the goal due to maintenance issues with its tanks.
In terms of supporting Ukraine, European countries have given slightly more financial and humanitarian aid compared to the U.S., although the U.S. has provided more military assistance. The U.S. faces security concerns worldwide, particularly in the Pacific with China, while Europe’s worries are more regional. The federal government’s excessive spending, especially on entitlements and defense, is a major concern. The growing deficit and national debt are unsustainable in the long run, necessitating a reassessment of spending priorities.
It is essential for European countries to take more responsibility for their defense, especially considering their collective GDP is comparable to that of the U.S. and they are geographically close together. While some Trump administration decisions have been questionable, such as planning talks with Russian envoys about Ukraine without involving Ukraine or European allies, it is crucial for all parties to work together effectively to address the ongoing conflict.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed the establishment of a “armed forces of Europe” for the defense of the continent. A security meeting convened by French President Macron indicates that Europeans may be contemplating a similar strategy. Such a move would benefit many, with the notable exception of Russia. If Europeans take on a larger role in safeguarding their continent and aiding Ukraine, it would likely be viewed favorably by Washington, D.C. The article “U.S. Tells Europe To Handle Its Own Defense” was originally published on Reason.com.
