Trump’s NATO Skepticism Pushes Europe to Strengthen Defense Independence Amid Global Threats

 

F ormer President Donald Trump’s past and present skepticism about NATO’s collective security guarantee has spurred European leaders to reconsider their reliance on U.S. military support. Trump's "America First" rhetoric and the rise of other global threats, like Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China’s expansion, have driven Europe to strengthen its own defense capabilities. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and other officials advocate for greater European responsibility within NATO, emphasizing the need for Europe to enhance its military capacity and decrease its dependence on the United States.