this post was submitted on 20 Feb 2026
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In previously unreported remarks, the U.S. administration warned Brussels that it will retaliate if Europeans “strong-arm American companies out of the market.”

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has threatened to retaliate against European countries if the EU favors domestic weapons-makers in a drive to rearm the continent.

The U.S. Department of Defense objected to any EU effort to limit American arms-manufacturers' access to the European market and warned that would trigger a reciprocal response.

The administration made the previously unreported remarks in a contribution to a European Commission consultation earlier this month, after the EU’s executive branch requested feedback from governments and industry on European weapons procurement rules.

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[–] D_C@sh.itjust.works 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"I hate you all", said the fat orange paedo, "but, you know, buy our weapons. And tech. And food. And films. And other things...but, remember, I hate you all. BUY OUR WEAPONS THOUGH!"

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 5 points 22 hours ago

"Fuck you money now, now money now, or I hurt you money give, smile or hurt. We friend, more money now"

[–] bufalo1973@piefed.social 40 points 1 day ago

Why? To have a kill switch or an inferior grade in every advanced weapon as Trump himself said?

[–] romkube@lemmy.world 73 points 1 day ago (1 children)

«You need to become more self reliant, and take more responsibility..» «NOOO, not like that 😭»

[–] WanderingThoughts@europe.pub 33 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The "... with USA arms so buy buy buy" was always strongly suggested and the whole point of the exercise.

[–] Damage@feddit.it 11 points 1 day ago

"you have to spend 2% of your GPD on OUR weapons!!"

[–] Doomsider@lemmy.world 5 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 14 hours ago) (1 children)

It is way past time to put the industrial military complex to rest. We can solve our problems without blowing each other up. At this point I suspect they are the ones manufacturing conflicts.

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 3 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

Problem with arms races is you can't end them unless everyone agrees to end them, otherwise you just forfeit.

[–] Doomsider@lemmy.world 1 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

I think the majority agree wars/conflicts should end. It is the monied minority keeping it going. How long will we let them pit human against each other to line their pocket books?

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 2 points 20 hours ago

Oh I agree, but as long as they can find people to buy their weapons (even on credit that depends on successfully using them) or weild them for them, they won't be going anywhere. And automation is quickly approaching the point where they won't even need others to choose to fight.

[–] r00ty@kbin.life 53 points 1 day ago (1 children)

So let me get this straight. From the US admin we hear.

-NATO countries cannot rely on USA to help them if they need us. -NATO countries should be ensuring they can defend themselves.

But also -You'd also still better buy all your shit from us!

They're like the stereotypical bully.. "Stop hitting yourself"

[–] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 14 points 1 day ago

It's more like "buy more stuff, also buy it from us".

[–] aeration1217@lemmy.org 4 points 21 hours ago

Of course they do. There will be nothing of substance attached, but of course they do, it's staffed by fucking imbeciles.

[–] Typhoon@lemmy.ca 19 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Isn't this the free market they love so much?

[–] GregorGizeh@lemmy.zip -4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Uhm, no. The EU specifically excluding providers based on their location is very much not the free market at work.

(They can get fucked tho, euro products all the way baby)

[–] CheeseNoodle@lemmy.world 17 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I'd argue that the Trumps implication that the US can disable many of these weapons remotely is already a perfectly valid free market reason to not buy them, I mean who wants a back door built into your self defence apparatus?

[–] lemmy_outta_here@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago

Agreed. Trump has made it clear that Europe needs weapons primarily to defend itself from the USA.

It wasn’t Iran that threatened to invade Greenland. Wasn’t russia financing Canadian separatists and threatening to annex a Nato member.

America is a gangster state. Boycotting the USA is a free-market decision, and the ONLY rational one.

[–] GregorGizeh@lemmy.zip 1 points 23 hours ago

Thats a free market reason not to buy them, but not what is happening. The EU arming initiative stipulates specifically that x% of the procurement must be from EU producers, no? Not free market then.

[–] elgordino@fedia.io 25 points 1 day ago (1 children)

No surprise. This is why they want counties to increase their military spending. To increase the money pouring into the military industrial complex.

[–] vratajin@piefed.social 8 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Yes.

I mean it’s great if the NATO members spend equally to their abilities, but specifically Trump wanted to get his buddies from the military industry complex to benefit, that’s why he kept bringing it up constantly, to the detriment of the alliance.

[–] Tyrq@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 1 day ago

fuck you and buy my shit

Certainly is some sort of tactic

[–] gressen@lemmy.zip 26 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Expect hostile reaction if you exercise your right to free choice of suppliers. /s

Fucking bullies.

Edit: also - politico bad.

[–] melsaskca@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 day ago

The usa: "Buy our stuff and there may be a tween in it for you somewhere down the line! Trust us!"

[–] kalmosUnlisted644@jlai.lu 17 points 1 day ago

This should just reinforce our !BuyFromEU@lemmy.world motivations as European individuals !

[–] ThisIsDys@piefed.europe.pub 12 points 1 day ago

Another classic case of extortion and threats from American markets.

[–] collectif_imaginaire@piefed.social 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well it's time for EU to assume our decisions and not backtrack on that question.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Okay, but a bunch of highly paid lobbyists just showed up to bribe and browbeat us into caving immediately

[–] lemmy_outta_here@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Hopefully voters will punish any Quisling who caves to American pressure.

[–] Damage@feddit.it 4 points 1 day ago

So it's a tribute they want

[–] JamieDub86@piefed.social 2 points 1 day ago

Lol. Isnt this just capitalism?

There are five asses to suck, get at it...lol