US officials express opposition to Europe’s initiative to procure weapons domestically

U.S. officials have communicated to their European allies the importance of continuing to purchase American-made weapons, especially in light of recent European Union initiatives aimed at restricting the involvement of U.S. manufacturers in arms contracts, according to five sources who spoke to Reuters.

These messages from Washington have emerged as the EU seeks to strengthen its own defense industry while potentially limiting the acquisition of specific U.S. military equipment.

The early foreign policy actions of the Trump administration, which included a temporary reduction in military aid to Ukraine and a relaxation of pressure on Russia, have caused significant concern among European allies, leading many to question the reliability of the United States as a partner.

In mid-March, the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, suggested increasing military expenditures and collaborating on joint defense initiatives, anticipating a reduction in U.S. military involvement under President Trump. Experts indicate that some of these proposed initiatives could result in a diminished role for non-EU firms, including those from the U.S. and the UK.

During a meeting on March 25, Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia that the U.S. aims to remain engaged in defense procurement within EU nations, as reported by the sources. Two of these sources noted that Rubio indicated any exclusion of U.S. firms from European tenders would be viewed unfavorably by Washington, which they interpreted as a reference to the proposed EU regulations. Additionally, a northern European diplomat, who was not part of the Baltic discussions, mentioned that U.S. officials had recently conveyed that any exclusion from EU arms procurement would be considered inappropriate.

Rubio intends to address the expectation that EU nations continue purchasing U.S. weapons during his upcoming visit to Brussels for the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, according to a senior official from the State Department. “This is a topic the secretary has previously highlighted and will persist in emphasizing,” the official stated.

A spokesperson for the State Department expressed that Trump appreciates the recent initiatives from European allies aimed at enhancing their defense capabilities and taking charge of their own security. However, they cautioned against establishing new barriers that could prevent U.S. companies from participating in European defense projects. “Transatlantic defense industrial collaboration strengthens the Alliance,” the spokesperson remarked.

The foreign ministries of Latvia and Estonia did not provide comments upon request, while Lithuania’s foreign ministry opted not to comment.

U.S. POLICY PULLS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

The U.S. apprehension regarding restrictions on arms purchases highlights a conflict at the core of the Trump administration’s policy towards Europe. Trump has called on European allies to increase their defense spending and assume greater responsibility for their security. In response, the EU is considering bringing defense manufacturing in-house, particularly in light of the U.S. president’s indications that his commitment to NATO may not be unwavering.

This approach contradicts another objective of the Trump administration, which is to facilitate access to foreign markets for U.S. manufacturers. The European Commission’s defense proposal, known as ReArm Europe, introduced in mid-March, includes a plan to secure 150 billion euros ($162 billion) in loans for EU governments to invest in defense initiatives.

While many EU governments support a more unified European defense strategy, the specifics of its implementation are likely to spark intense discussions regarding decision-making authority, project management, and funding mechanisms.

The Commission maintains that there are opportunities for non-EU companies to vie for defense funding under the proposed framework; however, arms manufacturers outside the European Union would encounter several practical and administrative challenges in reality.

The Trump administration, consistent with its predecessors, has advocated for European acquisitions of American weapons, including during this year’s Munich Security Conference.

Some analysts view the recent communications from Washington as a continuation of established U.S. policy. Nevertheless, multiple sources indicate that the U.S. focus on this issue has heightened in recent weeks, particularly as the EU has taken more definitive steps to separate its arms procurement processes.

“They are frustrated with the ReArm proposal and the exclusion of the U.S.,” remarked a senior European official.