195,000 US jobs rely on Europe’s military buildup, NATO chief warns Trump

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has made a direct economic appeal to US President Donald Trump, arguing that Europe’s rearmament drive is currently supporting 195,000 American defence jobs. In an interview with the Financial Times, Rutte stressed that continued US commitment to the alliance is not only a security matter but also an economic one. He said the surge in European defence spending directly benefits American factories and workers. The message is aimed at convincing Trump, who has long criticized NATO allies for not paying enough, to remain fully engaged with the alliance. Rutte’s comments frame the military alliance as a jobs engine for the United States. European nations have significantly increased their defence budgets since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This spending has led to a wave of orders for US-made weapons and military equipment. Rutte’s remarks are part of a broader effort by NATO leaders to highlight the tangible benefits of the transatlantic partnership, especially as the US approaches a presidential election year.