The EU states are concerned that the Trump administration could stop supporting US-made weapons systems used by its NATO allies in Europe, reports said
The US has been the sole weapons provider to the EU, accounting for two-thirds of the defence equipment imported by the EU member states in recent years.
Many of the systems are maintained and operated by American personnel. Equipment containing US components could also face restrictions if support is withdrawn.
Reports indicate EU officials are worried that reliance on US-based missile defence, surveillance, aircraft, drones, and fighter jets could become a major vulnerability, given President Donald Trump’s strained relations with the EU.
The member states are also concerned that US-made platforms could be rendered inoperable if Trump blocks software access or blocks data necessary for functioning the equipment.
“It’s not as if President Trump could just push a button and all aircraft would fall from the sky,” an EU official told the Post. “But there is an issue of dependency”, particularly in intelligence and communications, the official said.
Meanwhile, France, the only country to manage its independent foreign policy and defence manufacturing, has asked its EU allies to stop procuring the US weapons.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently argued that European rearmament is pointless if member states remain dependent on US suppliers.
German Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz proposed extending France’s nuclear deterrent to cover its EU neighbours, a move that Macron said could be discussed.
Amid the ongoing diplomatic fallout and trade wars, several countries have opted out from buying defence equipment from the US. Portugal has scrapped plans to purchase F-35s, citing the current “geopolitical context”.
Further, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed the push for military autonomy, saying Trump “may have a point” about Europe needing to spend more on its defence.
