General · 30 May 2026
US pressure: UK defence spending could trigger 'penalties'.
People could see defence ties with Washington depend on military spending, after fresh pressure on Britain. Pete Hegseth told a security conference in Singapore that allies matching US capabilities would get faster weapons deals and wider intelligence access. He said countries relying on American support would face penalties, while Sir Keir Starmer has promised 5% of GDP for national security by 2035.
Reported by The Independent · How we write briefs