U.S. officials have communicated to their European allies the importance of continuing to purchase American-made weapons, especially in light of recent European Union initiatives aimed at restricting the involvement of U.S. manufacturers in arms contracts, according to five sources familiar with the situation, as reported by Reuters.
These messages from Washington have emerged in recent weeks as the EU seeks to strengthen its own defense industry while potentially limiting the acquisition of specific U.S. military equipment.
The early foreign policy actions of the Trump administration, which included a temporary reduction in military aid to Ukraine and a relaxation of pressure on Russia, have caused significant concern among European allies, leading many to question the reliability of the United States as a partner.
In mid-March, the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, suggested increasing military expenditures and collaborating on joint defense initiatives, anticipating a reduction in U.S. military involvement under President Trump.
Experts indicate that some of the proposed initiatives could result in a diminished role for non-EU firms, including those from the U.S. and the UK.
During a meeting on March 25, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia that the U.S. intends to remain engaged in defense procurement processes within EU nations, as reported by the sources.
Two of these sources noted that Rubio expressed that any exclusion of U.S. companies from European tenders would be viewed unfavorably by Washington, which they interpreted as a reference to the proposed EU regulations.
A northern European diplomat, not present at the Baltic meeting, mentioned that U.S. officials had recently conveyed that any exclusion from EU arms procurement would be considered inappropriate.
Rubio is expected to address the expectation for EU nations to continue purchasing U.S. weapons during his upcoming visit to Brussels for the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, according to a senior State Department official.
“This is a topic the Secretary has raised and will continue to emphasize,” the official stated.
A spokesperson for the State Department indicated that Trump appreciates the recent initiatives by European allies aimed at “enhancing their defense capabilities and assuming responsibility for their own security.” However, the spokesperson cautioned against establishing new barriers that would prevent U.S. companies from participating in European defense projects.
“Transatlantic defense industrial collaboration strengthens the Alliance,” the spokesperson remarked.
Requests for comments from the foreign ministries of Latvia and Estonia went unanswered, while Lithuania’s foreign ministry chose not to provide a statement.
U.S. POLICY PULLS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
The U.S. apprehension regarding restrictions on arms purchases highlights a conflict at the core of the Trump administration’s policy towards Europe.
Trump has called on European allies to increase their defense spending and take more ownership of their security. In response, the EU is considering bringing defense manufacturing in-house, especially given the U.S. president’s hints that his commitment to NATO may not be unwavering.
This approach contradicts another objective of the Trump administration, which is to facilitate access to foreign markets for U.S. manufacturers.
The European Commission’s defense proposal, introduced in mid-March and titled ReArm Europe, includes a strategy to secure 150 billion euros ($162 billion) in loans for EU governments to invest in defense initiatives.
Many EU nations express support for a more unified European defense strategy. However, the specifics of its implementation are likely to spark intense discussions regarding decision-making authority, project management, and funding mechanisms.
While the Commission asserts that there are opportunities for non-EU companies to compete for defense funding under the proposed framework, in reality, arms manufacturers outside the bloc would encounter numerous practical and administrative challenges.
The Trump administration, consistent with previous administrations, has advocated for European acquisitions of U.S. weapons, including during this year’s Munich Security Conference. Some observers view the recent communications from Washington as a continuation of established U.S. policy.
