Britain is answering Trumps call and spending big on defense

President Donald Trump has been consistent, and he is correct: America’s allies must do more for their own defense and for our collective security.Britain has heard that message — and we are acting on it, putting our money where our mouth is.The United Kingdom is now undertaking its largest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War, on track to rise by 27% in real terms by 2030 as part of our commitment to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2035.Under our new Defense Investment Plan, published Tuesday, the UK has committed an additional $20 billion in funding to a defense plan that’s set to spend $393 billion over the next four years. To put it in perspective, that’s more than enough money to buy all 32 NFL franchises — or the McDonald’s Corporation.This weekend, the United Kingdom will proudly and wholeheartedly join our American friends to mark 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.We share an extraordinary story: What began in bloody conflict in 1776 has been forged into the deepest, closest alliance between any two nations.Britain is determined to ensure we remain Washington’s preeminent ally — side by side in defense, nuclear security and intelligence, together at the heart of NATO, AUKUS and the Five Eyes network.We are already NATO’s third-highest defense spender in cash terms, an investment that’s about reshaping our capabilities to prevail in the conflicts of tomorrow.A stronger Britain means a stronger NATO, and a stronger NATO means a more secure America.After all, Article V, the principle that an attack on one alliance member is an attack on all, has only been invoked once — in defense of the United States after 9/11.And this British investment is flowing directly to American workers and businesses, because our two nations’ defense industrial bases have long been connected.Between 2022 and 2024, allies agreed to buy $120 billion worth of weapons from US defense firms.By 2035, Lockheed Martin will supply 50% of ...