EU fears Trump will cut arms aid
America's European allies are rushing to find alternatives to US-made weapons systems.
On March 23, the Washington Post cited informed sources as saying that officials from EU member states were concerned that the Trump administration might stop supporting US-made weapons systems that NATO is using in Europe.
In recent years, the United States has supplied nearly two-thirds of Europe’s arms imports. Many of these weapons systems are operated and maintained by American personnel. In addition, equipment containing American components could be restricted if Washington withdraws support.
EU officials are concerned that their reliance on US-made missile defense systems, spy planes, drones and fighter jets could become a major vulnerability, especially amid the strained relationship between President Donald Trump and the EU, according to the Washington Post. Some worry that US-made weapons platforms could become useless if they are denied access to components, software or data.
“It’s not as if President Trump can just push a button and bring down the whole plane,” an EU official told the Washington Post. “But it’s about interdependence,” especially in the areas of intelligence and communications, the official stressed.
Several EU member states are currently reviewing their arsenals to assess the level of risk if the US cuts support.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently called on the bloc to stop buying American weapons, arguing that European rearmament would be pointless if member states remained dependent on American suppliers. Meanwhile, future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed expanding France’s nuclear deterrent to protect EU neighbors – a proposal Macron said could be considered.
Rasmus Jarlov, chairman of the Danish Defence Committee, expressed regret over Copenhagen’s purchase of the US-made F-35 fighter jets, calling it “a security risk that we cannot accept,” and warned that the US could disable the system if Denmark did not comply with its demands, such as handing over Greenland.
Portugal has canceled plans to buy F-35s, citing “the current geopolitical context.” Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed a push for European military autonomy, admitting that Trump is “right” that Europe needs to spend more on defense.
