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UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Europe would one day thank Donald Trump for forcing NATO allies to spend more on defence and reduce reliance on the US.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, France’s President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump join NATO leaders for a family photo during the NATO Summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey. (IMAGE: AFP)
For years, US President Donald Trump has accused NATO allies of relying too heavily on Washington for their security, repeatedly demanding that European countries spend more on defence and shoulder a greater share of the alliance’s military burden.
His criticism, often delivered in blunt and confrontational terms, has strained ties with several European capitals. But Britain’s new Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, now says history may ultimately judge Trump differently.
In his first major television interview since taking office this week, Streeting said Europe would one day thank Trump for forcing the continent to invest more in its own defence and end its long-standing dependence on the United States. The remarks come days after Prime Minister Andy Burnham named Streeting Defence Secretary in a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle.
Speaking to Sky News, Streeting rejected suggestions that rebuilding ties with Washington meant “sucking up” to Trump.
“The first thing you do is you don’t suck up. And I don’t think President Trump or his administration are looking for that, actually. He’s a straight talker. He says what he means and means what he says.”
Asked whether he trusted Trump, Streeting said he trusted the United States and stressed that the defence relationship between London and Washington remained unlike any other in the world.
NOW – UK’s new Defense Secretary says “we dont always always like” what Trump says or his methods but that “when this period of history is written, Europe will thank President Trump for shaking us out of our complacency and forcing us to stand on our own two feet.” pic.twitter.com/pc7DtjH1kc— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) July 26, 2026
He said his first week in office had given him a unique appreciation of the depth of the US-UK security partnership and revealed just how closely the two countries work together on defence.
Streeting also disclosed that he had already met US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying Britain had made clear it would not support offensive military action against Iran but would continue working with Washington on shared security priorities, including ensuring Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons and strengthening NATO’s capabilities.
It was while reflecting on Trump’s approach to the alliance that Streeting offered his endorsement of the US president.
“We don’t always like what he says. We don’t always like his methods. But I genuinely think when this period of history is written, Europe will thank President Trump for shaking us out of our complacency and forcing us to stand on our own two feet and ending the period of over-reliance on the United States for defence.”
Streeting argued that Trump’s criticism of European defence spending was not unique to the Republican president but reflected frustrations that had existed across successive US administrations.
According to him, Europe becoming more capable of defending itself alongside its allies was ultimately in NATO’s long-term interest.
Trump’s Pressure On NATO
Streeting’s remarks follow months of renewed pressure from Trump on NATO members to boost defence spending and reduce their dependence on Washington.
At the NATO summit in Ankara earlier this year, Trump sharply criticised several allies over defence spending, voiced frustration over the alliance’s response to the Iran conflict, threatened trade action against Spain and renewed his claim over Greenland.
Despite the public criticism, Trump struck a markedly different tone behind closed doors. According to AFP, he reassured fellow leaders that the United States remained committed to NATO, while alliance members showcased increased defence spending and pledged to assume greater responsibility for Europe’s security.
The summit concluded with NATO leaders reaffirming their “ironclad commitment” to Article 5, the alliance’s collective defence clause. European governments also highlighted higher military spending, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying the gathering had made NATO “stronger” and “more European.”
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has …Read More
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