NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Europe's military buildup is sustaining about 195,000 jobs in the US defense industry. The remarks, made ahead of next week's NATO summit, are seen as emphasizing the economic case for US President Donald Trump to maintain the NATO alliance. Rutte also noted that some European countries are buying Korean-made weapons, saying, "Korea has a fantastic defense industrial base."
In an interview with the Financial Times on Monday, Rutte said, "The backlog of arms orders that Europe and Canada have committed to purchasing from the United States over the coming years totals $300 billion (about 465 trillion won)." He added, "This is having the effect of sustaining about 195,000 jobs in the United States."
He assessed the $250 billion increase in European defense spending over the past two years as a major achievement. However, he urged defense contractors to focus on expanding production rather than adjusting prices in response to the increased demand. "There is a limit to the volume that can be procured from the defense industrial base," he explained. "The increase in defense spending over the past two years has reached nearly the maximum level the industry can absorb."
European countries have significantly increased their defense spending recently, driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Trump's pressure to raise defense budgets. Voices calling for reduced dependence on the US amid Trump's unpredictable policies have also grown louder. On this point, Rutte said, "It shows the American people and the American president that Europe and Canada are fulfilling their responsibilities," adding, "Support for Ukraine also remains at a high level."
While acknowledging the importance of the US defense industry, Rutte cited production bottlenecks as the biggest problem. Following US military operations against Iran, weapons stockpiles have declined and production volumes have been prioritized for allies in the Gulf region, delaying arms deliveries to Europe, he said.
He explained that some European countries are procuring weapons from outside the region due to supply shortages. "They are buying weapons from Korea," Rutte said. "I love Korea. Korea has a fantastic defense industrial base. But we are buying Korean-made weapons because NATO members' production capacity cannot support this demand."
On the Russia-Ukraine war, he offered an optimistic assessment. "Ukraine is achieving very successful results, killing or seriously wounding 35,000 Russian soldiers every month," he said. He continued, "By striking Russia's energy and military infrastructure, it is also causing great difficulties for the economy," and assessed, "Compared to just four or five months ago, the pace of Russia's advance has also slowed considerably."
Rutte also clarified his stance on his defense of Trump. Last year, he was criticized by some NATO members for being overly deferential after calling Trump "daddy." He said, "The imbalance in which Europe was contributing less than the United States is now being resolved," adding, "If the president brought about that change, it is only natural for him to be praised."
