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EU fears Trump will stop arms support
(MENAFN) European officials are increasingly concerned that a future Trump administration might cut off support for US-made weapons systems used by NATO allies, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing informed sources.
The United States has supplied nearly two-thirds of Europe’s arms imports in recent years, with many of these systems maintained and operated by American personnel. If US support is withdrawn, equipment containing American components could face operational restrictions.
According to the Post, EU officials worry that reliance on US missile defense systems, surveillance aircraft, drones, and fighter jets could leave Europe vulnerable, particularly given Donald Trump’s tense relationship with the bloc. Some fear that without access to critical parts, software, or data, American-made military platforms could be rendered unusable.
“It’s not like President Trump could push a button and all aircraft would stop working,” an EU official told the Post, “but there is an issue of dependency,” particularly in intelligence and communications.
In response to these concerns, several EU nations are reviewing their arsenals to assess their level of reliance on American military support.
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the EU to reduce its dependence on US arms manufacturers, arguing that European rearmament is meaningless if the continent remains reliant on Washington. German Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz has proposed extending France’s nuclear deterrent to cover EU allies, an idea Macron said was worth discussing.
Denmark’s defense committee chairman, Rasmus Jarlov, expressed regret over purchasing US-made F-35 fighter jets, calling them a "security risk" due to the possibility that Washington could disable them if Denmark refused US demands—such as handing over Greenland. Portugal has also abandoned plans to acquire F-35s, citing the shifting geopolitical landscape.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has supported calls for greater European military independence, acknowledging that Trump “may have a point” about the need for Europe to boost its own defense spending.
The United States has supplied nearly two-thirds of Europe’s arms imports in recent years, with many of these systems maintained and operated by American personnel. If US support is withdrawn, equipment containing American components could face operational restrictions.
According to the Post, EU officials worry that reliance on US missile defense systems, surveillance aircraft, drones, and fighter jets could leave Europe vulnerable, particularly given Donald Trump’s tense relationship with the bloc. Some fear that without access to critical parts, software, or data, American-made military platforms could be rendered unusable.
“It’s not like President Trump could push a button and all aircraft would stop working,” an EU official told the Post, “but there is an issue of dependency,” particularly in intelligence and communications.
In response to these concerns, several EU nations are reviewing their arsenals to assess their level of reliance on American military support.
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the EU to reduce its dependence on US arms manufacturers, arguing that European rearmament is meaningless if the continent remains reliant on Washington. German Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz has proposed extending France’s nuclear deterrent to cover EU allies, an idea Macron said was worth discussing.
Denmark’s defense committee chairman, Rasmus Jarlov, expressed regret over purchasing US-made F-35 fighter jets, calling them a "security risk" due to the possibility that Washington could disable them if Denmark refused US demands—such as handing over Greenland. Portugal has also abandoned plans to acquire F-35s, citing the shifting geopolitical landscape.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has supported calls for greater European military independence, acknowledging that Trump “may have a point” about the need for Europe to boost its own defense spending.
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