France's Defense Ministry urged Europe to develop its defense industry to avoid dependence on the U.S.

Europe should develop its own defense industrial complex (DIC) to reduce dependence on the United States. Such a statement was made by French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu on January 21.

"European countries must make up their minds: to allocate state funds for the purchase of weapons from the United States, aggravating dependence on Washington, or, finally, to come to autonomy in the field of defense," he said on the air of France Inter radio station.

The minister called it a mistake for European countries to seek to buy weapons from the United States.

In addition, Lecornu expressed disagreement with European Commission (EC) Executive Vice-President Stephane Sejournet, who urged European states to invest more in their defense in exchange for the United States agreeing to a "trade peace." He stated that such a thing would not be considered.

Lecornu stressed that the EC does not emphasize European armament, while France focuses on this very aspect.

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The day before, French Prime Minister Francois Bayre said that the European Union (EU) will be "crushed" by US President Donald Trump's policies if Europeans do nothing. He urged the people of Europe to reunite to address the threat from the US side.

Before that, on January 15, former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl said that Trump does not care about the EU, which is currently in crisis. She expressed confidence that the politician is wise enough to focus on the problems of the United States after coming to power.