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BERLIN — Europe’s key powers are already feeling the fallout of Donald Trump’s win in the U.S. presidential election as the French and German defense ministers scheduled an impromptu evening summit in Paris to discuss the continent’s security.
France’s Sébastien Lecornu and Germany’s Boris Pistorius are expected to discuss the consequences of the U.S. election for Europe’s defense, the French ministry confirmed, and both sides confirmed the two ministers will speak publicly after the meeting.
During Trump’s first term, he frequently accused European nations of freeloading off of American military might and for underspending on defense, particularly targeting Germany, which he called “delinquent” on military spending. Earlier this year, Trump appeared to encourage Russia to attack NATO allies who don’t “pay.” Both Trump and his nominee for vice president, JD Vance, have also threatened to cut military support for Ukraine.
While both France and Germany are now meeting NATO’s 2 percent of gross domestic product defense spending target, they are struggling to press ahead with joint defense industrial programs and are divided on a number of military policy questions.
Trump’s win is now adding to a sense of urgency on defense in Europe.
“We will work towards a more united, stronger, more sovereign Europe … by cooperating with the United States of America and defending our interests and our values,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on X after speaking with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz early on Wednesday.
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