UK Defense Chief Says Europe Will Thank Trump for Ending NATO Complacency, Still Rejects Iran Strikes
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 26
UK Defense Chief Says Europe Will Thank Trump for Ending NATO Complacency, Still Rejects Iran Strikes
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 26
Summary
Less than a week into the job, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Europe will eventually thank Donald Trump for forcing NATO allies to shoulder more of their own defense.
Streeting argued Trump’s pressure reflects a longstanding US frustration with low European defense spending, not just a MAGA-era complaint, and said Europe must end its overreliance on Washington.
At the same time, Streeting said Britain still will not support US offensive military action against Iran, even as it works with Washington on Strait of Hormuz security and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The remarks follow Trump’s criticism at the July NATO summit in Ankara of Spain, Italy and the UK for not offering immediate backing in a potential Iran conflict, though he later praised alliance unity.
Streeting’s comments also signaled Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s effort to rebalance transatlantic ties—staying close to the US while seeking a more self-reliant European security posture.