As cracks in U.S.-EU relations continue to widen, a growing consensus among European nations is emerging to reduce dependence on the United States for security and develop independent defense capabilities. The European Union is actively expanding its trade partnerships and seeking strategic autonomy to cushion the impact of Washington’s policy shifts toward Europe.
In March this year, the EU held a special summit and approved European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for a “Rearming Europe” plan, which includes mobilizing €800 billion to build a “secure and resilient Europe.” That same month, the European Commission released the “Fit for 2030” White Paper, outlining a strategy to build robust defense capabilities in Europe by 2030 through increased investment in the defense industry, promoting joint procurement, and enhancing military production capacity. France, Germany, Poland, and other countries have already announced plans to strengthen their armed forces. In parallel, some European defense firms have begun reducing cooperation with American counterparts, signaling a trend of decoupling from the U.S.
On the economic and trade front, the EU is steadily expanding its “toolbox” to counteract U.S. tariff policies. On April 1, von der Leyen stated that the EU has strong countermeasures prepared and will retaliate if necessary. She later added that if negotiations with the U.S. over tariffs fail to yield results, the EU is prepared to use its strongest trade defense tools, potentially including imposing taxes on major U.S. tech companies.
The EU is also actively diversifying its trade relationships. In December 2024, it concluded a free trade agreement with Mercosur. In February 2025, then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Brussels, where both sides agreed to enhance trade and investment ties. On April 10, the EU and the United Arab Emirates agreed to launch free trade agreement negotiations.
European media have pointed out that since the Trump administration came to power, the U.S. has increasingly prioritized its own interests over the global public good, exposing its true nature. In February, at the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance accused Europe of deviating from its core values. He also met with Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, during the event—an act that sparked strong dissatisfaction across Europe. An analysis report by ING Group noted that the Trump administration’s policies have sounded the alarm for Europe, marking a fundamental shift in transatlantic relations.
Source: xinhuanet.com