Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister De Croo stated on Thursday that Europe must ensure its own security, but stressed it is "better if we work together" with the United States.
Speaking outside the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest, De Croo noted that "Europe is already much stronger on its own", and will continue to be more independent on security, climate and the economy.
"We cannot outsource our security to the United States. We have to do that ourselves, regardless of who won the election," he stated. "We have many crises in the world and if we want to stabilise and stop them, the United States and Europe working together would be a good thing."
NATO spending
Asked whether Belgium could raise its defence budget to 2% of GDP, De Croo noted that "industrial logic" is needed (in both Belgium and Europe) to overcome obstacles in reaching NATO's defence spending requirements.
"We need to give the defence industry a chance to participate, which takes time, but we are now ready to accelerate our trajectory to 2%," he remarked. All European countries have increased their military spending, and we will continue doing so, he added.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo speaks to reporters in Budapest Thursday 7 November 2024. Credit: EU
De Croo stressed that support for Ukraine would not end after Trump's election, although he hopes for continued US support. "Today, more than half of the military support to Ukraine is coming from European countries. So the whole idea that the support for Ukraine collapses without the United States is not true."
An open conversation would be had with the US, and "if they would decide to change, that does not mean that we need to change our priorities." De Croo also made the same point when it comes to divergences with the US on climate policy and competitiveness, something he stressed were interlinked.
Overall, the outgoing Belgian Prime Minister appeared confident about Europe's future under Trump. "We are open to discuss with the United States on how we can work better together. I hope we can, but of course we will also defend our own interests."
He also pointed out that a trade war between the US and Europe would be detrimental to all and stressed that "both of us are better off when we're on the same side of the table."
