Foreign Secretary emphasized that the post-Cold War peace is over and stressed the need for Europe to enhance its defense capabilities in the face of Russian aggression.
Trump has long been critical of NATO, questioning its value and urging member countries to meet higher defense-spending targets. He recently suggested that NATO nations should spend at least 5% of their GDP on defense, a significant increase from the current 2% goal.
Britain, currently spending 2.3% of its GDP on defense, has committed to raising this figure to 2.5%.
The Foreign Secretary acknowledged Trump's unconventional style but urged a focus on his actions as president rather than his rhetoric. He expressed confidence that NATO's future remains secure, citing its expansion and increased defense spending under Trump's administration.
While concerns have been raised about Trump's unpredictability, the Foreign Secretary downplayed fears of extreme actions such as the seizure of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Efforts to maintain positive relations with Trump's inner circle have faced challenges, particularly due to recent inflammatory tweets from Elon Musk, a close ally of the president. Musk's attacks on British Prime Minister have raised eyebrows, but British officials have not sought intervention from the incoming administration.
The Foreign Secretary expressed reservations about Musk's behavior but indicated that discussions with the Trump team have not involved addressing Musk's actions. He highlighted that Musk's role in the administration is primarily focused on domestic issues as an efficiency czar.
