France’s finance minister recently expressed skepticism about the U.S. contribution to NATO, shortly followed by the assertion that Europe must avoid the prospect of a U.S. withdrawal from the alliance.
Speaking at the “Future of Capitalism” session during the Semaphore Global Economic Summit in Washington, D.C., French Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure commented on concerns regarding a potential U.S. exit from NATO, a topic that President Donald Trump has alluded to in the past. “I absolutely hope that doesn’t happen,” he stated, underlining the significance of the U.S. to NATO.
When prompted about who would fill the financial gap if the U.S. left NATO, Lescure emphasized that a substantial portion of NATO’s budget is supported by the European Union, estimating that the EU contributes around 60%. “The actual U.S. contribution to NATO is not that large. It’s about 20% less,” he noted, indicating the U.S. accounts for approximately 16% of NATO’s direct operational budget.
Lescure also pointed out that Germany is expected to be the largest financial contributor to NATO by 2024. He remarked on the principle of shared funding, which demonstrates that member nations share the financial responsibility.
Despite earlier references to the NATO budget, the finance minister shifted focus, declaring that the crucial aspect isn’t just the budget itself. He acknowledged that the United States’ defense spending significantly outstrips that of its NATO allies. In fact, it spent nearly $1 trillion on defense in 2025, a stark contrast to the $66.5 billion spent by France, and even lower figures from several other NATO countries.
Lescure also made a point to emphasize the longstanding friendship between the U.S. and France, which has existed for over 250 years, noting the importance of staying united amid various challenges. He touched upon the evolving landscape, including advances in artificial intelligence and geopolitical complexities.
In a separate note, Lescure declared he would not be a candidate in the upcoming 2027 French presidential election, adding, “I am not the next president.” When asked about recent political changes in Europe, he gave a thoughtful response, suggesting that such events may indicate a broader public desire for hope and progress.
