Paris: The shifting US defense priorities, anticipated to become more pronounced under US President Donald Trump, serve as a significant catalyst for increased European defense responsibility, according to French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
According to Emirates News Agency, a US strategic movement away from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region is a "serious kick in the behind", the minister told the France Inter broadcaster, that he hoped would lead to greater defense autonomy for Europe.
While emphasizing that Europe would have needed to strive for greater strategic autonomy no matter who is in the White House, Lecornu said Trump's abrasive tone could speed things up.