The transatlantic partnership is in perilous waters, but it doesn’t have to be. The Trump administration has been clear that it has no interest in maintaining America’s preeminent role in European defence, picking up where his first term left off in chastising European leaders for their free-riding off America’s largesse.
America’s lagging interest in the Ukraine war, increased prioritisation of threats elsewhere, and growing tension between Washington and Brussels have exposed the neglected truth of a divergence in European and American security interests. While taking a brash approach towards a relationship that once formed a cornerstone of America’s foreign policy may cost the U.S. some international goodwill, it is due time to reevaluate the transatlantic partnership, wind-down American troop deployments and defence provisions, and move towards a transatlantic alliance that is no longer characterised by wealthy and capable European countries depending on American security guarantees.
The Trump administration should explicitly and broadly support the EU’s recent push towards strategic autonomy. Opposing EU moves to ensure Europe’s own security capabilities will only serve to postpone the withdrawal of U.S. defence resources and prolong American defence contributions and entrenchment. Overbearing American involvement in EU security discussions moving forward would be counterintuitive to weaning European dependence. Further, broad approval of the EU strategic autonomy agenda is the best option to pursue a more sustainable alliance going forward, one that is rooted in each party taking primary responsibility for its own defence, and cooperating in areas where priorities overlap.
https://thecritic.co.uk/why-trump-should-support-a-more-autonomous-europe/
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