Europe is accelerating the development of its domestic defense industry to reduce reliance on U.S. weapons.

Media: Europe is making efforts to reduce its reliance on purchasing American weapons

Bloomberg reports, citing experts, that American European allies are increasingly actively discussing reducing their dependence on the US defense industry and developing their own military industries.

Bloomberg stated that the reason for this discussion is that President Trump of the United States demanded NATO to significantly increase defense spending and purchase US-made weapons.

Bloomberg cited Todd Harrison, a senior researcher at the American Enterprise Institute, who said: "Europe largely depends on the US defense industry. But in my view, due to the impact of tariffs, President Trump's attitude towards NATO, and his unwillingness to take responsibility for the defense of NATO countries, European countries will increasingly prioritize investing in their own defense companies."

Harrison pointed out that this approach would make it easier for European governments to explain to their citizens the reasons for increased military spending.

Bloomberg stated that some countries have already begun to adjust their procurement policies. Canada is re-examining a $13 billion F-35 fighter jet procurement contract, Poland has ordered K2 main battle tanks from South Korea, and Denmark is considering adopting a European solution instead of the US "Patriot" system.

The European edition of the U.S. political news website Politico previously reported that Paris does not plan to participate in the initiative to purchase American weapons for Kyiv, as it hopes to develop its own weapon production. The Italian newspaper La Stampa cited sources saying that Italy will not join the project due to a lack of funds.

Czech Republic and Hungary formally announced their refusal to participate in the procurement initiative. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala explained that the Czech side will provide aid to Ukraine through other means. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó pointed out that "Hungary's money and weapons" will not be provided to Ukraine.

President of the United States Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized his predecessor Biden for providing billions of dollars in military aid to Ukraine, but on July 14, he announced a new plan through NATO allies to supply weapons to Kyiv. According to Trump, the United States will sell large quantities of weapons worth billions of dollars to European countries, including missiles, air defense systems, and ammunition, which the allies will then transfer to Ukraine, and replenish their own inventories by making new purchases from American producers. Trump emphasized that the plan has been fully agreed upon and will soon be implemented with NATO country funds.

Russia believes that supplying weapons to Ukraine hinders the mediation of the situation, directly involving NATO member states in the conflict, and is "playing with fire." Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov previously stated that any supplies containing weapons provided to Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russia. The Kremlin previously stated that Western support for Ukraine with weapons does not help negotiations and will have negative effects.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837836902024204/

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