Rutte’s new plan to keep Trump in NATO: Buy more from the US
politico.eu • • world
Key Points:
- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte plans to secure U.S. support for NATO by promoting new defense deals that benefit American defense firms, ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara.
- NATO is emphasizing increased defense production and joint ventures, aiming to address European shortfalls and appeal to U.S. economic interests, particularly those of former President Donald Trump.
- Rutte is urging European allies to bring evidence of increased defense spending and industrial contracts to the summit, including potential deals like replacing NATO’s AWACS aircraft with Sweden’s Saab GlobalEye planes.
- The strategy faces challenges due to national control over arms purchases, slow joint-venture approvals, and potential conflicts with the EU’s push to develop its own defense industry and strategic autonomy.
- NATO plans to update its Framework for NATO Industry Engagement to better integrate defense firms, including startups, into alliance activities, but practical impact may be limited without binding commitments.