UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to ramp up defense spending—just days before his meeting with US President Donald Trump—has underscored the growing influence of Trump’s America-first approach on European allies.
In a significant shift, Starmer announced that the UK will increase its defense budget to 2.5% of GDP, a move amounting to an additional £13.4 billion ($17 billion) annually. The move signals Britain’s intent to take greater responsibility for European security amid concerns about waning US support under Trump’s leadership.
A preemptive move before Trump talks?
Starmer’s announcement comes as European leaders increasingly fear a more transactional relationship with Washington under Trump, who has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for failing to meet their defense commitments. By pledging higher military spending, Starmer appears to be preemptively aligning with Trump’s longstanding demand that European nations shoulder more of their security burden.
“Britain has always stepped up when the moment demands,” Starmer told Parliament, stressing the need for strength against Russian aggression. “That is what this government will deliver.”
Cuts to foreign aid spark backlash
While Starmer’s move was welcomed by defense hawks, it sparked criticism over how the funding will be sourced. The government plans to reduce international aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP, a cut that some MPs argue will weaken Britain’s global influence.
MP Charlotte Cane called the decision “short-sighted,” arguing that stability through aid reduces future security threats. But Starmer defended the trade-off, stating, “It’s not a decision I wanted to make, but one I had to for the security of our country and continent.”
Trump’s Nato pressure pays off?
Starmer’s policy shift echoes a broader European trend of increased military spending in response to Trump’s criticism. European nations have scrambled to bolster defense budgets amid concerns that Trump could reduce US commitments to Nato.
MP Jim Shannon noted that the UK spent 7% of GDP on defense during the Cold War and urged Starmer to clarify how discussions with the US are unfolding.
“We must reject any false choice between our allies, between one side of the Atlantic or the other,” Starmer insisted, aiming to ease concerns over growing rifts within the alliance.
As he prepares to meet Trump in Washington, Starmer made his stance clear: “This week, when I meet President Trump, I will be clear – I want this relationship to go from strength to strength.”
With Starmer signaling commitment to Nato while appeasing Trump’s demands, his defense boost is as much about geopolitics as it is about pragmatism—an early sign of how European leaders are adapting to the ‘Trump effect’ once again.