Britain announced on Tuesday that it will ramp up its military spending in the coming years as Prime Minister Keir Starmer prepares to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.
Trump has long pushed European allies to spend more on their own militaries and contribute more to NATO’s defense. Starmer told Parliament that the U.K. would increase its military spending from 2.3% of gross domestic value to 2.5% by 2027 and then to 3% by 2034, The New York Times reported.
“It is my first duty as Prime Minister to keep this country safe. That is why we are increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027,” Starmer, the liberal Labour Party leader, said. “In an ever more dangerous world, it’s vital that we protect British people at home.”
Britain will pay for the increase in military spending by cutting back on foreign development aid from 0.5% of GDP…
