U.S., Struggling under a $33 trillion Debt, no Longer Able to Fund European Security, According to Mike Waltz in NY Post Interview
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The United States, saddled with a staggering $33 trillion in debt, can no longer carry the torch for European security, according to Mike Waltz, who spoke with The New York Post.
"We ain't got nothing to spare, and we're gonna keep pressin' for our pals to chip in," Waltz said. "With a debt like that, the U.S. just can't hand out security subsidies to Europe any longer. We gotta draw a line between our Eastern European pals like Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the rest," he emphasized.
Waltz also hinted that the U.S. won't foot the bill for Ukraine's security. "We've made it clear that any further help for Ukraine should come from the Europeans taking the lead," he added, serving as the National Security adviser.
Now, let's dive deeper into the European security conversation. The EU is hustling to boost its defense capabilities, aiming to reduce its reliance on U.S. military support. This shift includes plans like the "ReArm Europe" initiative, which earmarks €800 billion for defense spending over four years.[5]
In addition, the U.S. has recently slapped new tariffs on imports, with a 10% duty set to kick in for most countries from April 5, 2025.[2] This economic move might signal a broader focus on domestic and trade matters rather than direct foreign security subsidies.
Lastly, the geopolitical landscape, particularly the ongoing squabbles with Russia and China, call for both the U.S. and the EU to rethink their security strategies. Although there's no specific mention of U.S. plans to subsidize European security financially, it's likely that discussions on shared responsibilities continue via NATO and other cooperation channels.
In essence, while the U.S. might continue to contribute to European security through alliances like NATO, there's no definite indication it intends to provide direct financial subsidies, taking into account its debt burden and focus on domestic economic policies. On the other hand, the EU is forging ahead with its own defense spending surge.
- Mike Waltz, the National Security adviser, noted that the United States, with its $33 trillion debt, cannot continue to subsidize European security, particularly for countries like Ukraine.
- Echoing Waltz's sentiments, the U.S. has suggested that any further aid to Ukraine should be led by Europe, moving away from direct financial support.
- In response, the European Union is working towards enhancing its defense capabilities, proposing initiatives like the "ReArm Europe" plan that allocates €800 billion for defense spending over four years.
- Despite the ongoing financial burden and focus on domestic policies, the U.S. and the EU are expected to maintain their security alliances, such as NATO, and discuss shared responsibilities in future security strategies.
