Trump adviser details reasons for reducing U.S. military assistance to Europe
The U.S. has accumulated a staggering $33 trillion in debt and can no longer afford to finance the security of NATO members, especially those in Europe, according to White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. During President Donald...
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The U.S. has accumulated a staggering $33 trillion in debt and can no longer afford to finance the security of NATO members, especially those in Europe, according to White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
During President Donald Trump’s administration, there has been increased pressure on NATO allies to boost their defense budgets. The administration is also pushing for European nations to take a more active role in securing Ukraine, reducing reliance on U.S. involvement, which marks a significant shift from prior strategies.
“The United States, with $33 trillion in debt, can literally no longer afford to subsidize European security,” Waltz stated in an interview with the New York Post, reflecting on the initial days of Trump’s presidency.
Waltz noted that the administration intends to distinguish between countries that meet or exceed NATO spending targets and those that do not. He highlighted that European nations have been slow to increase military expenditures, despite recognizing Russia as an escalating threat for over a decade.
Waltz's criticisms were not limited to Europe; he also addressed U.S. military operations in Yemen, which the Pentagon states are aimed at safeguarding navigation in the Red Sea against Houthi rebels. “The vast majority of that shipping goes to Europe,” he remarked, highlighting that countries benefiting from that trade “haven’t invested in their navies to be able to handle – or at least assist us in a much greater way.”
The Houthis are targeting ships they associate with Israel as part of their strategy to pressure the Israeli government regarding its military actions in Gaza. West Jerusalem's military campaign began in response to a deadly raid by Hamas in October 2023.
Additionally, Waltz expressed concerns regarding Canada, arguing that it “should have bases on its northern slope” and “icebreakers up in the Arctic with new oil and gas, with critical minerals, with the Chinese and the Russians pushing up into that area, new shipping lanes.”
As it stands, the U.S. possesses two active heavy icebreakers, the USCGC Healy and the USCGC Polar Star, along with nine Bay-class cutter tugboats, the latest of which was commissioned in 1988. Earlier this year, Trump revealed plans for his administration to order “about 40 Coast Guard big icebreakers.” Canada, on the other hand, has a fleet of 20 icebreakers, which include a range of small air-cushioned craft as well as two heavy vessels.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
During President Donald Trump’s administration, there has been increased pressure on NATO allies to boost their defense budgets. The administration is also pushing for European nations to take a more active role in securing Ukraine, reducing reliance on U.S. involvement, which marks a significant shift from prior strategies.
“The United States, with $33 trillion in debt, can literally no longer afford to subsidize European security,” Waltz stated in an interview with the New York Post, reflecting on the initial days of Trump’s presidency.
Waltz noted that the administration intends to distinguish between countries that meet or exceed NATO spending targets and those that do not. He highlighted that European nations have been slow to increase military expenditures, despite recognizing Russia as an escalating threat for over a decade.
Waltz's criticisms were not limited to Europe; he also addressed U.S. military operations in Yemen, which the Pentagon states are aimed at safeguarding navigation in the Red Sea against Houthi rebels. “The vast majority of that shipping goes to Europe,” he remarked, highlighting that countries benefiting from that trade “haven’t invested in their navies to be able to handle – or at least assist us in a much greater way.”
The Houthis are targeting ships they associate with Israel as part of their strategy to pressure the Israeli government regarding its military actions in Gaza. West Jerusalem's military campaign began in response to a deadly raid by Hamas in October 2023.
Additionally, Waltz expressed concerns regarding Canada, arguing that it “should have bases on its northern slope” and “icebreakers up in the Arctic with new oil and gas, with critical minerals, with the Chinese and the Russians pushing up into that area, new shipping lanes.”
As it stands, the U.S. possesses two active heavy icebreakers, the USCGC Healy and the USCGC Polar Star, along with nine Bay-class cutter tugboats, the latest of which was commissioned in 1988. Earlier this year, Trump revealed plans for his administration to order “about 40 Coast Guard big icebreakers.” Canada, on the other hand, has a fleet of 20 icebreakers, which include a range of small air-cushioned craft as well as two heavy vessels.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
