Trump's Defense Push: Europe Arms Up, Rethinking US Military Ties
In a dramatic shift, European NATO members and Canada have significantly ramped up their defense spending by 20% in 2025 and are actively moving away from relying solely on U.S. military gear. This comes as former President Donald Trump, now in his second term, continues his strong pressure on allies to meet higher financial commitments, demanding 5% of GDP for defense by 2035, even threatening to withhold U.S. defense if countries do not pay their share. The bold move marks a critical juncture for the transatlantic alliance, pushing Europe towards greater self-reliance amidst a paradoxical U.S. troop realignment that also sees continued investment in key NATO bases.













