The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, credited President Donald Trump’s “tough love” for driving Europe to boost its defense spending. Speaking at the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore on Saturday, Kallas acknowledged Trump’s pressure on NATO countries to meet their commitments, saying, “It’s love nonetheless, so it’s better than no love.”
Kallas, who met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday, said the relationship between the EU and Washington remains strong. Hegseth praised Europe’s progress, stating, “Thanks to President Trump, they are stepping up.” Trump has long demanded that NATO allies contribute more to their own defense, warning that the U.S. would no longer tolerate freeloaders and calling for defense spending to reach five percent of GDP.
Kallas noted that while some European nations had realized the need for higher defense budgets earlier, the EU as a whole has “shifted gear” and is now serious about strengthening its military capabilities. She called Europe’s new strategy a “peace project backed up with hard defense,” highlighting the growing connection between European and Indo-Pacific security concerns.
Kallas warned that China’s economic dominance must be countered through partnerships with “like-minded” allies, including the U.S., UK, Japan, and Australia. She also pointed to North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine and China’s support for Russia as evidence of the need for a unified approach to global security.
Rejecting the idea that Europe should focus solely on its own region while the U.S. handles Asia, Kallas said, “If you are worried about China, you should be worried about Russia.” She urged deeper defense and economic cooperation among Western allies to confront rising threats.
Kallas’ remarks reflect a growing recognition among European leaders that the world has become more dangerous, and that relying on U.S. protection alone is no longer a viable strategy.
With threats from China, Russia, and rogue states like North Korea on the rise, Europe’s commitment to boosting defense spending is not just a response to Trump’s demands, but a necessary step to safeguard its own sovereignty and security. Kallas’ acknowledgment of Trump’s role in this shift underscores a larger trend: Western allies are waking up to the reality that peace is only possible through strength.
