The European Union is accelerating efforts to reduce its reliance on the United States across defense, trade, and technology sectors, marking what analysts describe as a fundamental realignment of the post-World War II transatlantic architecture.
According to a comprehensive analysis by Politico Europe, the shift encompasses multiple dimensions of the relationship that has defined Western strategic alignment for eight decades. From military procurement to digital infrastructure, European capitals are systematically diversifying away from American systems.
The catalyst for this historic pivot is clear: growing uncertainty about American reliability as a partner. While European officials are diplomatically circumspect in public statements, private conversations reveal deep anxiety about the trajectory of American politics and its implications for global commitments.
To understand today's headlines, we must look at yesterday's decisions. The transatlantic alliance, forged in the aftermath of World War II and solidified during the Cold War, rested on a compact: American security guarantees in exchange for European alignment on major geopolitical questions. That bargain is now openly questioned on both sides of the Atlantic.
In defense, the most visible area of decoupling, France and Germany are spearheading initiatives for European-designed fighter aircraft, tanks, and missile defense systems. The Franco-German Future Combat Air System, intended to replace American-designed aircraft by the 2040s, represents a €100 billion commitment to European defense autonomy.
Poland, traditionally one of Washington's closest European allies, is diversifying its arms purchases to include South Korean systems alongside American equipment. Spain is investing heavily in drone technology developed within Europe rather than purchasing from American manufacturers.
The economic dimension is equally significant. Brussels is moving forward with regulations on artificial intelligence, data privacy, and digital markets that explicitly challenge American tech dominance. The EU's determination to chart its own course on technology regulation reflects a broader assertion of regulatory sovereignty.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has made "strategic autonomy" a centerpiece of her second term. While she carefully avoids framing this as anti-American, the practical effect is reduced European dependence on American systems, companies, and security guarantees.
This shift faces significant obstacles. European defense industries lack the scale and integration of the American military-industrial complex. Moreover, Europe remains strategically dependent on American intelligence capabilities, satellite systems, and nuclear deterrence.
For those of us who have covered transatlantic relations for decades, this moment feels unprecedented. Previous periods of tension occurred within a framework of fundamental alignment. What is different now is European doubt about whether that framework remains viable.
