Melike Pala
30 September 2026•Update: 30 September 2026
US Ambassador to the European Union Andrew Puzder warned Wednesday that the bloc’s efforts to prioritize European-made weapons could fragment the transatlantic defense industrial base.
Speaking at Euronews’ Defense and Space Summit in Brussels, Puzder said military capability and availability should take precedence over the geographic origin of defense equipment.
“Only our enemies benefit when we lose focus on making sure we have the most effective weapons, supporting our mutual defense,” he said.
“One attack by a powerful adversary on a member state, and we’ll all be glad that we focused on weapon superiority rather than regional economics,” Puzder added.
The ambassador stressed that “when lives are at stake, capability and availability should determine the solution, not geography.”
The European Commission and EU member states have been advancing proposals aimed at strengthening the bloc’s defense industry and reducing reliance on US-made weapons.
The EU initiative has divided member states, with some governments cautioning against protectionist measures and stressing the importance of access to US defense capabilities.
Puzder said the European Commission had indicated it had no intention of preventing EU member states from using national funds to purchase US weapons systems.
He said the goal should be “an alliance which faces our adversaries with unity and strength rather than division and self-interest.”