Summary
Donald Trump’s return to the White House and his push for higher defense spending are set to benefit Europe’s arms industry, alongside U.S. defense manufacturers.
With NATO members increasing military budgets due to pressure from Washington and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Europe is projected to spend €500 billion on defense over the next decade.
While U.S. companies like Lockheed Martin dominate exports to Europe, EU nations are balancing this by investing in European arms-makers like Saab and Airbus.
European leaders advocate for stronger regional procurement to boost domestic industries.
Might turn out to be a good thing in the end.
If European countries lose their dependence on the US military for protection then the US is going to have less power directing policies outside it’s own borders.
Trump and those who will follow him if he indeed does make it so we “never have to vote again”, they will have less power to drag the rest of the world in that direction.