The EU cannot remain a “permanent security vassal” of the United States, said Vice President JD Vance, highlighting that such an arrangement is not beneficial for either side.
His comments come at a time when geopolitical tensions among NATO allies have intensified in recent months, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with the Trump administration continuing to pressure NATO members to increase their defence spending.
In a late-night interview on Monday, Vance expressed frustration over the EU’s approach to security, arguing that it has long been a blind spot for the region.
“The reality is – it’s blunt to say it, but it’s also true – that Europe’s entire security infrastructure, for my entire life, has been subsidised by the United States of America,” he said.
At present, he noted, only three EU nations – the UK, France, and Poland – maintain self-sustained militaries.
“In some ways, they’re the exceptions that prove the rule – that European leaders have radically underinvested in security, and that has to change,” he added.
“I certainly recognise that it’s not in Europe’s interest, and it’s not in America’s interest, for Europe to be a permanent security vassal of the United States.”
The Trump administration has been urging EU nations to invest more in their militaries since his first term in office. He stated that EU nations should spend at least 2 per cent of their GDP on defence.
He later suggested that NATO members should consider spending as much as 5 per cent of GDP on defence, warning that “if they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte agreed that Trump is right to demand that European members increase their defence spending amid rising tensions with Russia.
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