'Europe Will Thank Donald': UK Defence Secretary Says Trump Forced Allies To Stand On Their Own Feet
'Europe Will Thank Donald': UK Defence Secretary Says Trump Forced Allies To Stand On Their Own Feet Published By, Last Updated: July 26, 2026, 19:01
'Europe Will Thank Donald': UK Defence Secretary Says Trump Forced Allies To Stand On Their Own Feet Published By, Last Updated: July 26, 2026, 19:01 IST UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Europe would one day thank Donald Trump for forcing NATO allies to spend more on defence and reduce reliance on the US. Finland's President Alexander Stubb, France's President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump join NATO leaders for a family photo during the NATO Summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey. (IMAGE: AFP) For years, US President Donald Trump has accused NATO allies of relying too heavily on Washington for their security, repeatedly demanding that European countries spend more on defence and shoulder a greater share of the alliance’s military burden. His criticism, often delivered in blunt and confrontational terms, has strained ties with several European capitals. But Britain’s new Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, now says history may ultimately judge Trump differently. In his first major television interview since taking office this week, Streeting said Europe would one day thank Trump for forcing the continent to invest more in its own defence and end its long-standing dependence on the United States. The remarks come days after Prime Minister Andy Burnham named Streeting Defence Secretary in a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle.
Speaking to Sky News, Streeting rejected suggestions that rebuilding ties with Washington meant “sucking up" to Trump. “The first thing you do is you don’t suck up. And I don’t think President Trump or his administration are looking for that, actually. He’s a straight talker. He says what he means and means what he says." Asked whether he trusted Trump, Streeting said he trusted the United States and stressed that the defence relationship between London and Washington remained unlike any other in the world. NOW – UK's new Defense Secretary says "we dont always always like" what Trump says or his methods but that "when this period of history is written, Europe will thank President Trump for shaking us out of our complacency and forcing us to stand on our own two feet." pic.twitter.com/pc7DtjH1kc— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) July 26, 2026 He said his first week in office had given him a unique appreciation of the depth of the US-UK security partnership and revealed just how closely the two countries work together on defence. Streeting also disclosed that he had already met US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying Britain had made clear it would not support offensive military action against Iran but would continue working with Washington on shared security priorities, including ensuring Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons and strengthening NATO’s capabilities.
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