Speaking minutes before the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who has complained that Europeans do not pay enough for their defense, Macron said the continent should spend more.
But he added, in a New Year address to military top brass: “We can’t raise debt together, spend more for our defense to subsidise the industry, wealth, and jobs of other continents.”
Macron said Europeans should also simplify the European defense industry. Europe has 47 different industrial platforms for its naval industry while the US has only six, he said, according to Reuters.
He called for more joint European weapons development, even without French companies in the lead, adding, “We won’t always be the European champions. But at least we’ll be sure the European champions have a global reach.”
Macron said France now had “Europe’s most efficient army” and met NATO’s military budget target of 2% of GDP, but could not rest on its laurels at a time when the US might withdraw troops from Europe.
MP/