EU officials debate defence autonomy as US role in European security wanes

As tensions over European security rise, EU countries are stepping up efforts to explore alternatives to American arms supplies. Regular meetings are being held, with no US representatives present, to discuss options as US President Donald Trump’s administration signals a shift toward reducing Washington’s role in Europe’s defense.

Four such meetings have already taken place, where European officials acknowledged that breaking free from the US defense supply chain would be neither swift nor easy, and would come at a significant cost, Caliber.Az reports via Defence One.

"Nobody truly seeks full autonomy. Everyone still wants to maintain ties with the Americans," a source told the outlet. Despite this, the meetings, which focus on expanding defense cooperation with third countries, are helping Europe clarify its defense strategy.

The growing interest in self-reliance comes after Trump’s decision to suspend intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, a move that eroded European trust in the US leadership. This decision has made American-made weapons less appealing to the EU. European officials worry that the US might leverage its dominance in the arms market to pressure Brussels into making decisions that align with US interests.

Still, many in Europe express a strong desire for continued US involvement in European defense structures and cooperation.

“We’re working to strengthen and expand Europe’s defense capabilities,” one EU defense source explained. “But we’re not looking to erect walls where they’re unnecessary.”

A US State Department official responded by stressing that American defense companies remain vital to EU security, noting that they bring cutting-edge technologies, innovation, and competitive pricing to the table, enabling Europe to bolster its defense at the required scale and speed.

"The EU claims it wants to fortify its security, but excluding American companies from European defense projects would ultimately harm the security of the community," the official stated.

Amid these debates, both NATO and the EU are ramping up their campaigns to push for faster militarization of Europe’s economy and a significant increase in defense spending.

By Tamilla Hasanova