US: Spend more on defence or France will be our closest ally
FRANCE could replace Britain as America’s closest ally if defence spending is not increased, Washington has signalled.
US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis suggested in a letter to his UK counterpart Gavin Williamson that the ‘special relationship’ could be under threat if more cash is not made available.
The former four-star general warned Britain’s military prowess is at ‘risk of erosion’ – and with it ‘world peace and stability’.
The leaked letter, sent ahead of a crunch meeting of Nato leaders later this month, said America would like the UK to remain its ‘partner of choice’ – but drew attention to French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to increase defence spending.
Mr Mattis wrote on June 12: ‘As global actors, France and the US have concluded that now is the time to significantly increase our investment in defence. Other allies are following suit. It is in the best interest of both our nations for the UK to remain the US partner of choice.
‘In that spirit, the UK will need to invest and maintain robust military capability.’
Last year, France spent 1.79 per cent of GDP on defence, falling short of the Nato target of 2 per cent. Britain spent 2.12 per cent and America 3.57 per cent. But in February, Paris unveiled plans to inject an ‘unprecedented’ £260billion into defence between 2019 and 2025.
The letter from Mr Mattis is a signal that Washington now expects the UK to go above the 2 per cent minimum. Donald Trump is widely expected to press Nato allies to contribute more money at the summit next week. The letter will pile pressure on Theresa May over defence spending. Mr Williamson, military chiefs and backbenchers have pleaded with the Prime Minister to increase the defence budget.
Mrs May is said to have shocked generals by asking for justification of Britain’s ‘tier one’ military status – which experts define as having the full spectrum of capabilities, including an independent nuclear deterrent and a navy, army and air force capable of being deployed anywhere in the world.
Mr Williamson has reportedly threatened to ‘ break’ Mrs May if she does not allow more defence spending. After receiving the letter, Mr Williamson warned MPs that US patience with Europe was wearing thin.
Mr Mattis said it was not his place to dictate the UK’s spending priorities but added that he soon hoped to see a fully funded ‘a defence blueprint that will allow me to plan our own future engagement with you’.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘We have been clear we will continue to exceed Nato’s 2 per cent spending target.’ A No 10 spokesman said ‘ We, the US and France are close allies and partners who are willing to act together in defence of our shared values.’