JAKARTA - The Donald Trump administration has threatened to take retaliatory measures against European Union countries if they restrict US arms manufacturers' access to the European defense market, Politico reported, citing Washington's consultation documents with the European Commission.
"The United States firmly opposes any changes ... that would limit the ability of US industry to support or participate in the national defense procurement of EU member states," the document said, as quoted by Politico.
According to the report, Washington considers protectionism not to be the right move for the European Union, especially amid rising global security challenges.
Politico highlighted what it called a "paradox" in the US approach to Europe. On the one hand, Washington has repeatedly urged the bloc to take on a greater responsibility for the region's conventional defense.
On the other hand, the Trump administration is said not to want an increase in Europe's defense role at the expense of American defense companies.
Last week, Politico also reported, citing internal documents from the German Ministry of Defense, that the European Union was reviewing a replacement for the US-made Boeing Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) reconnaissance aircraft with a European production alternative.
The move is seen as part of an effort by some EU member states to strengthen regional defense industry independence and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month said Europe's view of collective security had fundamentally changed.
According to Rutte, European countries are now better prepared to increase defense spending and take a more active role in the alliance.
Tensions over market access come amid a wider debate over burden-sharing on defense among NATO allies and the direction of Europe's defense industry going forward.
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