Macron announced a plan to double France's defense budget

France plans to double its defense budget. This was announced by the country's President Emmanuel Macron to journalists on February 3.

"France will double its defense budget after the end of two laws on military programs, and will launch major projects. I call on all other partners to do the same," he said.

Macron also added that the top priority is the security of the country's borders. He noted that if France is attacked on trade issues by the US, Europe will have to show respect and respond "appropriately."

How high is the threat of a trade war between the US, EU and China. Parsing

Earlier, on January 29, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte promised to increase the alliance's defense spending after a phone call with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

Prior to that, on January 21, US President Donald Trump said he would push for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member states to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP and spend more than Washington to support Ukraine.