The relationship between the United States and its European allies has reached a critical juncture, as the administration of Donald Trump continues to signal a shift in its commitment to European security. While it has long been clear that Trump does not prioritize European security in the same way as previous U.S. leaders, the blunt tone of his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has sent shockwaves through NATO. Hegseth’s assertion that the U.S. cannot remain “primarily focused on the security of Europe” underscores a growing self-interest in Washington, leaving European nations scrambling to reassess their defense strategies. This stark message is not entirely surprising, given Trump’s history of questioning the transatlantic alliance and threatening to withdraw from NATO unless other member states take on a greater share of the burden. Yet, the sheer directness of the current administration’s stance has forced European leaders to confront an uncomfortable reality: their decades-long reliance on U.S. military support has left them ill-prepared to defend themselves in an increasingly volatile world.
For far too long, European nations—including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and others—have allowed their militaries to atrophy, presuming that the U.S. would always step in to ensure their security. This over-reliance on American power has been particularly evident since the end of the Cold War, as European governments slashed defense budgets to reap the benefits of what they believed was a lasting peace dividend. The result has been militaries that lack the credibility, capacity, and resources needed to deter modern threats. Trump’s first term in office should have served as a wake-up call, as he repeatedly threatened to pull the U.S. out of NATO unless European allies committed to spending more on defense. Yet, despite these warnings, many European nations failed to take meaningful steps to shore up their militaries, leaving them vulnerable and dependent on American largesse.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, should have been another stark wake-up call for Europe. The largest conflict on the continent since World War II exposed the sheer scale of Europe’s unpreparedness and the fragility of its security architecture. Though the invasion prompted some European nations to pledge to boost their defense spending and modernize their armed forces, progress has been slow and uneven. Even as Russia wages war in Ukraine, many European leaders continue to grapple with the political and economic challenges of increasing military investment. This sluggish response has only emboldened adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran, who see an opportunity to exploit Europe’s weakness. The U.S. has, for now, maintained its support for Ukraine, but the implicit message from the Trump administration is clear: Europe cannot indefinitely rely on American power to shield it from threats.
As the U.S. increasingly prioritizes its own interests over European security, European nations are being forced to confront the necessity of building credible, self-sufficient militaries. The latest warnings from the Trump administration, delivered through Hegseth, are not merely rhetorical; they represent a fundamental shift in U.S. foreign policy. Unlike previous administrations, which maintained a strong commitment to the transatlantic alliance even as they urged Europe to do more, Trump has made it clear that U.S. support is not unconditional. His administration’s blunt language has undermined the fundamental principle of collective defense enshrined in NATO’s Article 5, which holds that an attack on one member state is an attack on all. This erosion of trust has left European leaders in a difficult position, as they must now navigate a geopolitically uncertain world with diminished confidence in their most powerful ally.
In response to these challenges, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has called on member states to increase their defense spending to “north of 3%” of GDP, a target that falls short of Trump’s 5% demand but represents a step in the right direction. Such an increase would not only help ensure that the U.S. remains committed to NATO but also enable European nations to rebuild their militaries and deter aggression from Russia, China, and other adversaries. This push for greater investment in defense reflects a broader recognition that Europe can no longer afford to rely on the so-called peace dividend of the post-Cold War era. Instead, it must invest in the military capabilities needed to safeguard its security and sovereignty in a rapidly changing world.
The road ahead for Europe will not be easy, but the alternative is far worse. If European nations continue to neglect their defense needs, they risk becoming increasingly vulnerable to external threats and less relevant on the global stage. The Trump administration’s blunt warnings have made one thing clear: the era of unquestioned U.S. leadership in European security is coming to an end. In response, Europe must finally take responsibility for its own defense, investing in the militaries and capabilities needed to ensure its safety and prosperity. Only by doing so can it hope to navigate the challenges of the 21st century with confidence and strength. The time for half-measures is over; the time for Europe to step up is now.
