Trump Calls for Increasing Defense Spending to $1.5 Trillion by 2027

SadaNews - American President Donald Trump has called for increasing the annual defense spending of the United States by more than 50% to reach $1.5 trillion by 2027, in an unprecedented jump that he claimed would be funded by revenues generated from tariffs imposed over the past year.

Trump wrote on social media: "This will allow us to build the dream army we have long desired, and more importantly, it will keep us safe and strong, regardless of the enemy." He stated that the "huge income" generated by tariffs would enable this spending while reducing the national debt and providing a "great return" for "middle-income patriots."

This request would represent the largest increase ever in U.S. military spending, at a time when the budget stands at $901 billion for the current fiscal year.

Previous Efforts to Cut Spending in the Pentagon

Additionally, this direction conflicts with other priorities of the Trump administration, as the White House had previously sought to cut some spending in the Pentagon as part of cost-reduction efforts led by Elon Musk. The United States already spends more on defense than the next nine countries combined, according to the "Peter G. Peterson Foundation."

It is also unlikely that tariff revenues will be sufficient to cover this increase. Tariffs have generated about $195 billion in revenue this year up to September 30, according to the U.S. Treasury, and Trump has also stated that he wants lawmakers to use the increase in customs revenues to provide $2,000 relief checks to most Americans.

Congress will need to approve Trump's request. The president said he made this decision after "long and difficult negotiations with members of the Senate and House, ministers, and other political representatives."