US officials press European countries to maintain access for American defense companies as EU plans €150 billion ReArm initiative that could limit participation of non-EU firms amid growing transatlantic tensions.
06/04/2025
Ukrainian Army’s Leopard 2 tank, covered with protective steel cages. Photo: LigaUS warns EU against excluding American companies from € 150 billion defense initiative which can supply Ukraine with weapons
US officials have urged European allies to continue purchasing American-made weapons, amid growing concern in Washington over new EU initiatives that may limit access for US defense firms, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
In mid-March, the European Commission unveiled a defense initiative called ReArm Europe, which includes plans to borrow €150 billion to fund defense projects through government loans. One source said that Washington was concerned about ReArm and the US’s exclusion from the initiative. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously stated that the program would allow Europe to rearm itself and supply Ukraine in its existential fight against Russian aggression.
The recent messaging comes as the EU moves to bolster its domestic defense industry. The proposals, if implemented, could limit the participation of non-EU companies, particularly from the US and the UK.
Early foreign policy steps by the Donald Trump administration, including a short-term cut in military aid to Ukraine and a softer stance toward Moscow, deeply unsettled European allies. Those actions prompted questions about the reliability of the US as a long-term defense partner.
As the EU seeks to reduce its military dependence on Washington, especially under Trump’s presidency, the European Commission has proposed increased military spending and greater coordination of defense procurement across the bloc.
On 25 March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told the foreign ministers of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia that the US wants to remain involved in European defense procurement. According to two sources, Rubio warned that excluding American firms from European tenders would be viewed negatively by Washington—an implicit criticism of the EU’s proposed procurement rules.
A Nordic diplomat not present at the Baltic meeting confirmed that US officials recently conveyed their concerns, stating that any exclusion from EU arms purchases would be inappropriate.
According to a senior State Department official, Trump welcomes Europe’s growing defense contributions and responsibility for its own security, but strongly opposes any new barriers that would exclude US companies from EU defense projects.
The foreign ministries of Latvia and Estonia did not respond to requests for comment, while Lithuania’s foreign ministry declined to comment.
(C)EUROMAIDAN PRESS 2025
Yeah. The US continues to want defense procurement but at the same time they say maybe or maybe not to Article 5. Screw Trump and his minions. What’s the fool going to do raise tariffs? Oh he’s already done that.
Why would Europe want to buy products in which they dont have 100% control of? Europe developing their own weapons, means they don’t get dumbed down versions of planes, missiles or any other military hardware.
And they won’t be at the mercy of crazy whims from a nutty POTUS.