Europe will one day thank President Donald Trump for shaking the continent out of its strategic complacency and forcing NATO allies to shoulder more of their own defense responsibilities, according to the United Kingdom's new defense secretary.
Wes Streeting, who took office on July 20, made the remarks on Sky News, suggesting that Trump's persistent criticism of European allies for not spending enough on defense could lead to a positive long-term outcome for NATO.
"We don't always like what he says. We don't always like his methods," Streeting said, referring to Trump. "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 end the period of overreliance on the United States for defense."
Streeting emphasized that the U.S. frustration with European defense spending is not unique to Trump or the Republican Party but has been a longstanding issue under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
"In the world we live in, it is right that we can act to secure ourselves," he added, noting that the U.K. could work with European allies and the United States without being overly dependent.
Streeting also confirmed that Britain has not supported and will not support offensive military action against Iran. He recently spoke with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to discuss maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and broader NATO commitments. Streeting stated that while his country does not back offensive action, there are numerous areas where the U.S. and UK can collaborate, such as securing the Strait of Hormuz, preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and investing in collective NATO capabilities.
Trump has been a vocal critic of European NATO members, frequently urging them to meet their defense spending commitments and contribute more to the alliance's security.
Streeting's comments come as the U.K. navigates a new political landscape with Andy Burnham recently becoming prime minister. He signaled a potential rebalancing of the U.K.'s transatlantic stance while reaffirming the historic and integral nature of the U.S.-U.K. defense and security relationship.
"I've always been aware that the alliance between the U.S. and the U.K. is unlike any in the world, and of course, that's historic, it's cultural, it's political," Streeting said. "It's driven by self-interest as well as mutual shared interests."
During a NATO Summit in Turkey, Trump had previously criticized Spain, Italy, and the U.K. for what he described as a lack of immediate support in a potential conflict with Iran, although he also highlighted significant unity among NATO members.