UK Braces for Trump Criticism on Slow Rise in Defense Spending
A US Air Force F35A fighter jet, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp., during an aerobatic flying display during the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, UK.
Photographer: Jason Alden/BloombergKeir Starmer’s UK government has become concerned it could face fresh criticism from President Donald Trump if it does not lay out a plan to quickly and credibly raise defense spending.
There is concern in the Ministry of Defense that if new money isn’t found this year, Washington may consider the trajectory of Britain’s increase in defense expenditure as being too slow, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials are also wary that the imminent publication of a new defense investment plan could receive close scrutiny from the US.