US officials have insisted that European allies continue to buy US-made weapons. This comes amid a new EU initiative to strengthen its own defence industry and reduce arms purchases outside the bloc. This was reported by Reuters.
According to Reuters, in recent weeks, representatives of Washington have been actively conveying to their European partners a signal that any restrictions on US arms manufacturers would be perceived negatively.
The US and NATO: A Course for Conflict?
This topic was discussed particularly sharply during a meeting on 25 March, when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Diplomats confirm: The US wants to maintain its position in the European arms market.
Washington is concerned that new European regulations could limit the participation of US defence companies in procurement. This is causing a new wave of tension in the NATO alliance, especially after President Donald Trump’s statements that the US may not be able to defend all countries in the bloc in the event of an attack.
Europe seeks independence, but the US does not give up
The European Commission has proposed a new defence plan, ReArm Europe, which provides for the allocation of 150 billion euros to strengthen the bloc’s military capabilities. This caused dissatisfaction in the United States, as new funding allocation mechanisms could make it more difficult for American companies to access European contracts.
Official Washington insists that military cooperation between the EU and the US makes NATO stronger. However, Brussels fears that dependence on American weapons makes Europe too vulnerable.
Will this turn into a new split between the US and Europe? The situation is escalating, and key decisions may be made in the near future.
