LONDON — The security situation in Europe is precarious, with the newly elected president emphasizing the necessity for NATO member states to bolster their military budgets, according to Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy. He highlighted that the era of peace following the Cold War has conclusively ended.
“It’s clear that Donald Trump and JD Vance are correct in asserting that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defense,” Lammy stated during a speech in London, outlining the Labour government’s “progressive realism” approach to foreign policy. He pointed to the ongoing aggressive stance of Russia, asserting it’s shortsighted to ignore this reality.
In response to inquiries about when global affairs might stabilize, Lammy expressed skepticism, stating, “They will not return to normal. The future security of Europe hangs in the balance.” Trump’s long-standing skepticism of NATO is well-documented, often questioning the alliance’s value and suggesting that he might not defend nations that do not meet their defense spending obligations.
This week, Trump reiterated that NATO allies should aim for defense spending constituting at least 5% of their GDP, a significant increase from the 2% guideline currently in place. Additionally, he indicated that he would not dismiss the possibility of using military force to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory belonging to NATO member Denmark.
Britain is currently allocating 2.3% of its GDP to defense and plans to raise it to 2.5%. Lammy acknowledged that while Trump’s unpredictable behavior and forceful language are a hallmark of his approach, the focus should primarily be on his actions during his presidency rather than the rhetoric.
He expressed doubt regarding the likelihood of Trump pursuing Greenland, also noting that concerns about NATO’s future surfaced during Trump’s initial term. “Ultimately, NATO was not compromised. In fact, it’s emerged stronger today, with more members and increased defense spending,” Lammy added.
Lammy has maintained a friendship with Vance, the incoming vice president, positioning himself at the forefront of efforts to cultivate strong ties with Trump’s circle. However, relationships have been strained by controversial remarks from Trump associate Elon Musk, who has recently targeted Prime Minister Keir Starmer with a barrage of incendiary tweets calling for his ousting and imprisonment.
Lammy expressed his “serious concerns about some of Musk’s recent statements.” Nevertheless, he noted that British officials have not sought to rein in Musk among Trump’s team. “I’m not aware that Elon Musk has been a topic of conversation with the Trump administration,” he confirmed, emphasizing that Musk’s role is primarily focused on domestic initiatives as an efficiency czar.
