The United States pours billions into European defense annually while European nations, with ample resources to protect themselves, continue relying on American military might.
At a Glance
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently emphasized continued U.S. involvement in NATO, despite calls for European countries to increase defense spending
- European nations are being encouraged to boost military spending to 5% of GDP, though most currently fall short of NATO’s 2% minimum requirement
- The EU has proposed new initiatives including the “White Paper for European Defense” and “ReArm Europe” to bolster member states’ defense capabilities
- Most of the U.S. defense budget is spent on offensive operations and protecting allies rather than addressing direct American defense needs
America’s Oversized Defense Burden
For decades, the United States has shouldered a disproportionate burden of European defense through NATO and bilateral agreements. Despite the combined economic strength of European Union nations exceeding $17 trillion annually and a population of over 447 million citizens, these wealthy allies continue to rely heavily on American taxpayer dollars for their security.
This arrangement persists even though the U.S. faces minimal direct threats to its homeland due to its favorable geography, with friendly neighbors and vast ocean barriers providing natural protection from potential adversaries.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly reiterated American commitment to NATO while simultaneously encouraging European partners to develop greater independent capabilities. “We want NATO to be stronger, we want NATO to be more visible and the only way NATO can get stronger, more visible is if our partners, the nation states that comprise this important alliance, have more capability,” Rubio stated, suggesting that American policy continues to walk a tightrope between alliance support and pushing for greater European self-sufficiency.
Matthew Whitaker's confirmation as ambassador to @NATO is great news. Today, NATO remains, more than ever, relevant to the security of the United States and Europe. Unfortunately, many NATO members have taken it for granted for far too long. Our European allies left the heavy…
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman (@SenateForeign) April 2, 2025
European Defense Initiatives Taking Shape
European nations are gradually responding to calls for greater defense autonomy. The European Union recently unveiled its “White Paper for European Defense” and “ReArm Europe” proposal, comprehensive plans designed to address capability gaps in air defense, cyber warfare, and other critical areas. These initiatives represent a significant shift in European thinking, with funding mechanisms explicitly excluding American defense companies to prioritize building European defense industrial capacity. The proposals include loan schemes and regulatory simplifications aimed at boosting defense investments across member states.
“Achieve independence from the United States, step by step,” stated German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, reflecting growing sentiment among European leaders about the need for strategic autonomy. This position has gained momentum following uncertainties about long-term American security guarantees, particularly after recent U.S. administration changes and statements questioning the value of NATO commitments.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently noted the need to “prioritize empowering Europe to own responsibility for its own security,” signaling a potential shift in American policy toward encouraging European defense independence.
Historical Context and Future Considerations
European nations once maintained formidable military capabilities before American involvement became the cornerstone of continental defense. Prior to NATO’s formation, countries like France, the United Kingdom, and Germany possessed substantial armed forces and defense industries.
The current dependency on American military power represents a historical anomaly rather than a necessity. As former President Dwight Eisenhower presciently warned decades ago: “If, in 10 years, all American troops stationed in Europe for national defense purposes have not been returned to the United States, then this whole project will have failed.”
“Stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently observed, highlighting the shifting American strategic priorities toward the Indo-Pacific region and other global concerns.
With US defense spending in Europe on shaky ground, the EU is looking to release hundreds of billions of euros in additional defense financing in what would be the region’s biggest security initiative since the Cold War. https://t.co/CliT2H3n8u
— Bloomberg Economics (@economics) February 27, 2025
Recalibrating American Defense Priorities
Military analysts increasingly question whether maintaining extensive overseas commitments serves American interests effectively. With growing concerns about budget deficits and pressing domestic needs, redirecting defense spending toward direct protection of American territories and citizens could produce significant savings.
The current arrangement enables wealthy allies to underinvest in their own defense while the United States allocates substantial resources to protect foreign nations, often at the expense of addressing critical infrastructure, healthcare, and economic challenges at home.
European countries collectively possess the economic, technological, and demographic resources to build robust independent defense capabilities. While developing such capacities would require overcoming internal disagreements and political hurdles, the foundation for European strategic autonomy already exists.
The primary barrier appears to be political will rather than material capability. As global power dynamics continue to evolve, a recalibration of defense responsibilities between the United States and its European allies seems increasingly necessary for the long-term security interests of both regions.
