Oleg Davygora10:30 PM, December 3, 2025

Christopher Landau has called on ministers not to “force” their country’s defence companies to participate in Europe’s rearmament.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized European NATO allies for prioritizing their own defense industries over American arms suppliers,  Politico reports .

It is noted that his speech took place during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers on Wednesday, which Landau’s boss, Marco Rubio, missed.

Landau, a longtime NATO skeptic who spoke first at the closed meeting, urged ministers not to “force” their country’s defense companies to participate in Europe’s rearmament. He left the room shortly thereafter to attend other meetings.

One US State Department official said:

“Under Secretary Landau delivered two key messages. The first is that Europe needs to convert its defense spending commitments into capabilities. The second is that protectionist and exclusionary policies that drive American companies out of the market undermine our collective defense.”

The publication writes that Landau’s attack is the latest in a long list of attacks by the current US administration on its historical partners, including pressure on the EU to accept a humiliating trade agreement to prevent the introduction of tariffs.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised the bloc for “unfair” treatment of the US, while the EU has said Washington’s trade demands amount to blackmail.

“Landau’s comments are likely to provoke anger in some capitals, as several European countries, such as Germany and Poland, have announced millions of dollars in contributions to a NATO-backed program that pays American defense companies for critical weapons supplies to Ukraine. Together, Europe and Canada have pledged $4 billion to the program,” the article states.

It is noted that Rubio’s absence marked the first time in more than two decades that Washington’s top diplomat has been absent from a NATO ministerial meeting.

“No one is shocked by the US position that Europe should not be protectionist. But what did you expect… tact or delicacy from the US?” said one NATO diplomat.

Rearmament of Europe

The EU has moved to boost its depleted defence industry amid growing warnings from countries such as Germany that Russia could attack Europe by the end of the decade.

Brussels has outlined strategies in several legislative initiatives aimed at stimulating local industry. These efforts include the new €150 billion SAFE program of loans-for-weapons, but third countries, such as the United States, can only supply up to 35% of the cost of weapons systems.

The European Commission plans to launch a “drone wall” by the end of 2026. This defense system is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027. 

(c)UNIAN 2025