US officials object to European push to buy weapons locally
WASHINGTON/PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. officials have told European allies they want them to keep buying American-made arms, amid recent moves by the European Union to limit U.S. manufacturers' participation in weapons tenders, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
The messages delivered by Washington in recent weeks come as the EU takes steps to boost Europe's weapons industry, while potentially limiting purchases of certain types of U.S. arms.
The Trump administration's early foreign policy steps, including briefly cutting military aid for Ukraine and easing pressure on Moscow, have deeply unnerved European allies, prompting many to ask if the United States is a reliable partner.
In mid-March, the European Commission, the EU's executive body, proposed boosting military spending and pooling resources on joint defense projects, as Europe girds for decreased U.S. military engagement under President Donald Trump.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-officials-object-european-push-050404725.html
Quite some arrogance Trumpers.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Link to tweet
Europe: Okay, we will pay for it
Trump: Great. Also, we make the best weapons but that doesn’t mean in five years they’ll be good. They'll be totally obsolete in five years. Also, we like to tone them down about 10 percent, which probably makes sense because whoever we sell them to, someday maybe they’re not our allies, right?
Europe: Okay we'll make our own weapons
Trump: HEY WOAH WOAH SLOW DOWN THERE
Marco Rubio: Any exclusion of U.S. companies from European tenders would be seen negatively by Washington.
US State Department: Trump welcomes stronger European defense—but not at the cost of new barriers against U.S. companies.
Europe: You guys are morons
