Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement on February 25th that Britain will raise its defence spending from 2.3% of GDP to 2.5% by 2027, with the aim of hitting 3% after 2030 to meet a “generational” security challenge, was meant to grab attention—and not just in Britain. The prime minister was due to meet Donald Trump in the White House 48 hours later. He would now at least have something to show him.