Politico: Europe struggles to cut reliance on US in NATO

Europe has limited options when it comes to reducing its reliance on the United States within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), despite US President Donald Trump’s preference for greater European autonomy.

“NATO means ‘Needs Americans to Operate,’” said a U.S. defense official. “Should we leave because of that? Definitely not. But Trump is not wrong to be frustrated,” according to Politico, citing a US Defence Department official.

The remark underscores ongoing debates within the alliance over burden-sharing and Europe’s capacity to reduce its strategic dependence on US military capabilities.

Tensions between the US and its European allies have escalated significantly in recent months, particularly over Europe's limited support for US military actions in the Iran war that began in late February 2026.

Many countries offered only limited defensive help or called for de-escalation.

European leaders emphasised diplomacy and avoided being drawn into what they see as a US-driven conflict without prior consultation

Leaders like French President Macron, German Chancellor Merz, and others have said Europe relied too much on the U.S. and must accelerate its own capabilities.

Talks of a "European pillar" in NATO, or even structures outside it, have intensified—especially after incidents like US comments on Greenland.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov