‘Dream Military’: Trump proposes $1.5 trillion defence budget for 2027, up from $1 trillion; links increase to tariff income

US President Donald Trump said the United States should set its military budget for 2027 at $1.5 trillion instead of $1 trillion, arguing that the higher allocation is necessary to build what he called a “Dream Military” capable of deterring any adversary and keeping the country safe.Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social, saying the decision followed discussions with lawmakers and senior officials. He said the expanded budget would strengthen national security at a time he described as “very troubled and dangerous”.“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 Dollars, but rather $1.5 Trillion Dollars,” Trump wrote. He said the increased spending would allow the US to build a military force that would keep the country “SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe”.Trump also linked the proposed increase to revenues generated from tariffs, claiming they had created financial room for higher defence spending. “If it weren’t for the tremendous numbers being produced by Tariffs from other Countries, many of which, in the past, have ‘ripped off’ the United States at levels never seen before, I would stay at the $1 Trillion Dollar number,” he said.MAGA chief added that tariff income now made it possible to fund a larger military while also reducing debt and providing financial benefits to Americans. He contrasted the situation with the previous administration, saying the revenues being generated were “unthinkable in the past”.