Trump calls on Europe to know how to defend itself, recovering will not be easy.
In recent years, Donald Trump's foreign policy has had a significant impact on Europe's defence dynamics. His repeated threats not to defend NATO members have prompted European countries to think seriously about the need to strengthen their defence capabilities. The war in Ukraine has further exacerbated the situation, leading to a new political momentum and an unprecedented willingness to invest more in defence. However, although Europe is taking important steps, there are still many challenges to overcome, particularly those related to the fragmentation of the defence industry and dependence on the United States.
Trump's Threat and the European Response
Donald Trump has put pressure on his NATO allies during his presidency, accusing them of spending too little on their defence. His statements, threatening to withdraw US military support if necessary, had a galvanising effect in Europe. For the first time, European countries have begun to recognise the need to become more independent in terms of defence and to invest significantly in their own capabilities. An obvious example is the case of Spain, which for years tracked a low level of defence spending compared to other NATO members. In 2025, Spain decided to significantly increase its budget to meet the 2% GDP target set by NATO. At the European level, however, change is not immediate and the entire defence industry has to be restructured to face the security challenges more autonomously.
The Fragmentation of the European Defence Industry
One of the main difficulties Europe faces in its quest for defence autonomy is the fragmentation of the defence industry. In Europe, many countries continue to favour their local companies, avoiding transnational collaborations that could reduce costs and improve interoperability. This has led to a situation where, for example, there are at least 12 tank models produced in the European Unioncompared to only one model used by the US Army. At the same time, Europe continues to depend on the US for many supplies and technologies, such as the Airbus A330 MRTT refuelling aircraft, which use US-made components and software. This dependence is particularly evident in the air defence sector, where Europe imports more than half of its equipment from the United States. Overcoming this dependence will require years of investment and a common EU vision, as well as a profound restructuring of the defence sector.
Hope for the Future: Investing in the European Defence Industry
Despite the challenges, there are positive signs for the future. The European Union has put on the table a EUR 150 billion proposal to finance the purchase of air defence systems, drones and other strategic technologies. This package includes measures to simplify defence budget rules and reallocate EU funds to reflect security priorities. A key aspect of this proposal is the encouragement of cooperation between member countries, which will have to purchase at least 40% of their defence equipment in cooperation with each other and exchange 35% of defence assets by 2030. This approach aims to reduce dependence on the United States and to promote a more integrated European defence industry.
In this context, Airbus and other European companies see an opportunity to grow and develop thanks to increasing political and financial support from the European Union. Jean-Brice Dumont, head of the Airbus aircraft division, emphasised the importance of investing in the European defence industry to ensure the long-term security of the continent. Europe therefore has a great opportunity to build a more secure and independent future, but to do so it must face the challenge of overcoming industrial fragmentation and adopt a common vision for the continent's defence.
The European response to Trump's threats and the necessities imposed by the war in Ukraine is an important step towards greater defensive autonomy. However, the path to a fully self-sufficient Europe is still long and the challenges are many. The fragmentation of the defence industry and dependence on external supplies are significant obstacles, but with targeted investments and a common strategy, Europe can build a strong and independent defence. The political will has grown, but this now needs to be translated into concrete actions to meet the challenges of the future.
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
