Donald Trump has asked United States Congress to approve a major increase in defense spending for 2027, proposing a budget of $1.5 trillion (€1.3 trillion), according to documents released by the White House.
If approved, the plan would raise military spending by nearly 50%, from about $1 trillion this year to $1.5 trillion in 2027—marking a record level of defense expenditure in recent US history.
Alongside the increase in military funding, the administration is proposing a 10% cut in non-military spending. According to The New York Times, these reductions could total around $73 billion (€63.3 billion), affecting programs related to climate, housing, and education.
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Even without the proposed increase, the United States already has the largest defense budget in the world. Data from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation shows that in 2024, US military spending exceeded the combined budgets of several major countries, including China, Russia, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, France, and Japan.
The proposal, which outlines the administration’s priorities, does not carry the force of law. Congress ultimately holds the power to approve, modify, or reject federal spending plans.
The US is currently facing annual deficits of around $2 trillion, with national debt surpassing $39 trillion. Defense spending already accounted for 13.7% of total federal expenditures in 2025, according to data from the Treasury Department.
