U.S. ambassador to the EU against “Made in Europe”: It risks undoing NATO

Efforts to promote “Made in Europe” products in rearmament initiatives risk undoing the NATO alliance and undermining collective security.

That is what the U.S. ambassador to the EU, Andrew Puzder, said at the Defence and Space Summit organised by Euronews.

“When people’s lives are at stake, capabilities and readiness should determine the solution, not geography. We cannot allow ourselves to create internal obstacles,” Puzder said.

The American diplomat suggested the “Made in NATO” label as an alternative that would give more access to U.S. defence companies, which risk losing lucrative contracts if the “Made in Europe” vision, backed by France, is realised.

“We are stronger when we work together and together we must succeed,” the ambassador said.

Earlier, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken issued a gloomy warning, saying Europe will face a “dark winter” because of the multiplication of hybrid threats.

Francken underlined to his counterparts that rearmament and defence advancement processes “must move faster”, in order to protect the old continent from Russia’s air attacks, including those with drones powered by fighter-jet engines, travelling at 600 kilometres per hour.

“We need air defence, ammunition, greater production and a broader industrial base. Everything must move faster,” Francken said.

The statements come at a time when European governments are increasing military spending and looking for ways to improve cooperation on procurement, military mobilisation and industrial production.