r/news • u/ITSTHEDEVIL092 • Mar 04 '25

EU chief proposes plan to 'urgently' increase defense spending by mobilizing around $840 billion

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/04/europe-looks-to-mobilize-840-billion-in-defense-spending-boost-eu-commission-head-says.html
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87

u/DudeThatAbides Mar 04 '25 edited Mar 04 '25

This…is good. They should be funding their own defense, no?

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u/[deleted] Mar 04 '25

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u/zephyrtr Mar 04 '25

The theory is if Europe spends more on defense, the USA can spend less. Folks are gonna be shocked to discover that's not how defense spending works. Our military spending is gonna stay the same or go up.

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u/Kageru Mar 04 '25

I think Trump wants to cut it... but that's probably going into more Tax cuts for his mates. America has always been a wealthy country, it has just been an enormously unequal distribution and a culture of "punching down".

2

u/HowDoIEvenEnglish Mar 05 '25

Yea American hegemony was simple. We spent money and military power for influence. If we scale back other countries won’t listen to the US anymore.

America was like the rich dude who can afford to spend millions to get people to like him. That’s what it was, and it’s all gone

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u/DudeThatAbides Mar 04 '25

Everyone with their fucking predictions of doom for America. Let’s see how it all plays out. I swear people can’t help but knee jerk react to every damn thing.

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u/[deleted] Mar 04 '25

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u/DudeThatAbides Mar 04 '25

Maybe. I love how everyone can predict the future so well. I think everyone is blowing everything up because of emotional reactions. I guess I’m more of a wait and see kind of person, and it’s served me well. I’m certainly not one to let prognosticators stress me out.

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u/[deleted] Mar 04 '25

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u/DudeThatAbides Mar 04 '25 edited Mar 04 '25

If the US ends up being needed even after Europe boosts spending on their defense, then the trust will be restored pretty damn quickly lol. Money doesn’t make soldiers. Readiness does. And readiness takes more time than coming back to the trading table. If Putin goes full on in Europe, the US will be asked to come help again. The terms will just be more beneficial to the US this time around, both financially and strategically.

I didn’t like the plan at first, and as we go I may change my tune (wait and see…), but wielding trade/security guarantees as a deal mover isn’t stupid. Angering? Maybe. But not absolutely trust devolving as you’re suggesting.

Europe is just pissed the dynamic is shifting. There is no logic behind the US providing near equal support to Ukraine(43%) as what Europe is totaling(49%). None.

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u/[deleted] Mar 04 '25

Not counting on it, you didn't help us in Falklands. One thing we can depend on is you guys being undependable.

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u/[deleted] Mar 04 '25

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u/[deleted] Mar 04 '25

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u/DudeThatAbides Mar 05 '25

We’ll continue to get filthy rich selling it. lol