The U.S. government, which has raised the issue of Europe free-riding on security, pressed allies hard to boost defense spending and expand troop levels during a visit to France for the 82nd anniversary of the World War II Normandy landings.
On the 6th (local time), according to major outlets including Reuters and Le Monde, U.S. Minister Pete Hegseth attended a memorial service at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, and stressed that allies must take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of the European continent. Meeting with French Minister Catherine Vautrin, Hegseth also argued that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states should sharply raise defense spending to as much as 5% of gross domestic product (GDP). This signals a shift to the so-called "NATO 3.0" era, in which Europe expands its defense industrial base and builds deployable forces so it can take responsibility for conventional defense on its own without U.S. help.
In his speech that day, the Minister said, "In a crisis, the United States will lead, and it must. But capable allies must also stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States at critical moments." He went on, "Peace is guaranteed only through strength," noting the need for tangible military power and political will rather than summits or slogans. He added, "We were able to win past wars because each nation did its part and bled." Analysts said the remarks reflect the Trump administration's displeasure over Europe's failure to take an active role amid U.S.-Iran military tensions. Faulting Europe's passive stance, the Minister skipped an international commemorative event in the afternoon where heads of state gathered.
The Minister also leveled sharp criticism at illegal immigration in Europe. "Sadly, today many of Europe's beaches are being battered by storms of different dangerous ideologies," he said. "Boats and people are arriving on the beaches of Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria." He likened the influx of migrants to an invasion by comparing it to the Allied landings of the past. He also asked rhetorically, "When will Europe's capitals respond to that invasion? Isn't it already too late?"
The U.S. administration recently warned in its National Security Strategy (NSS) report that Europe will face a civilizational extinction crisis if it sticks to lax immigration policies. Vice President JD Vance likewise escalated criticism at a recent international conference, identifying mass immigration as a key cause of civilizational decline. Vance said on social media, "Stopping mass immigration flows and defending national sovereignty is a matter of political will and leadership."
The European Union (EU) recently reached a dramatic agreement on tougher immigration controls that include building offshore detention centers and expanding deportations. But the plan has run into fierce resistance from human rights groups, intensifying internal conflict over implementation. Marta Belander, a Spokesperson with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), told AP, "The deal essentially expands the use of offshore, prison-like facilities that exist in a legal gray area, and it significantly raises the risk of forcibly deporting migrants to countries where they could face persecution or torture."