Starmer Urged by Ex-Navy Chief to Boost UK Defense Spending to 3% GDP; Meets Macron Amid NATO Concerns

Nov 10, 2024, 09:24 PM

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is being urged to increase defense spending and strengthen ties with the European Union following the re-election of US President Donald Trump. Former Navy Chief Lord West has called on Starmer to allocate 3% of GDP to defense to win Trump's support. Reports indicate that Starmer plans to announce an increase in defense spending to 2.5% of GDP in spring 2025, after Trump's inauguration, as a peace gesture aimed at establishing good relations with the new US administration. There are also calls for an emergency cash injection into defense and to accelerate Britain's planned defense review. Starmer's congratulations to Trump this week signal his pragmatic willingness to forge a working relationship with the incoming president. Starmer is set to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris during Armistice Day to discuss European defense and solidarity amid concerns about the future of NATO and the situation in Ukraine after Trump's victory.