British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Thursday, presenting a compromise between his country’s military spending and its international aid commitments. In an effort to persuade Trump not to abandon Ukraine, Starmer will pledge to increase Britain’s military spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027 and 3% within a decade.
The move addresses one of Trump’s core grievances: that Europeans are free riders on the US security umbrella. To finance this rearmament, Starmer plans to cut back British overseas development aid, a measure also taken by Trump during his time in office.
Starmer’s visit is seen as a significant attempt to demonstrate his country’s commitment to defense and its relationship with the US. Unlike French President Emmanuel Macron, who faced criticism for being too soft on Trump, Starmer will take a more direct approach, pledging to increase military spending while also emphasizing the importance of cooperation on advanced technology.
This strategic move aims to boost credibility for Starmer, as his Labour Party secured a landslide majority in Parliament last July. Analysts believe that other European leaders may need to follow suit if they want to be seen as reliable allies, particularly given the ongoing uncertainty in France and Germany.
Starmer’s visit is part of a delicate balancing act between his domestic priorities and international diplomacy. By focusing on defense spending and cooperation with the US, he hopes to secure Trump’s support for Ukraine without alienating voters back home.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/world/europe/uk-trump-starmer-meet-defense-ukraine.html