$1.5t military budget for 2027 sparks war concerns

WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump proposed a $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027 on Wednesday, a sharp increase from this year's $901 billion, fueling concerns about the potential eruption of wars.

"After long and difficult negotiations with senators, congressmen, secretaries, and other political representatives, I have determined that, for the good of our country, especially in these very troubled and dangerous times, our military budget for the year 2027 should not be $1 trillion, but rather $1.5 trillion," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"This will allow us to build the 'Dream Military' that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, that will keep us safe and secure, regardless of foe," he said.

Trump also claimed that the "tremendous income" brought in by tariffs would make the new figure possible.

US journalist and political commentator Tucker Carlson said in his latest show that the budget is "not a peacekeeping budget" but "a big war budget".

"Obviously, that's the kind of budget that a country that anticipates a global or regional war has for its military," Carlson said.

It is "fair to expect and all the signs suggest that we're going to have a big war soon", he said.

"Hope it doesn't happen, but obviously we're moving in that direction toward a world war."

Trump's announcement came just a few days after the US raid on Venezuela, snatching the country's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Last month, the Senate approved a House-passed $901 billion defense policy bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which was quickly signed by Trump. His latest proposal will also need congressional approval.

The US has spent far more on its military than any other country in recent years, both in absolute terms and as a proportion of global military expenditures.

Xinhua