Can Europe Defend Itself Without the US? The Costs, Risks, and Road Ahead

With the United States and Donald Trump shifting focus to domestic issues, the future of Europe’s defense is becoming more uncertain. A major question looms: Can it protect itself if the US pulls back from its long-standing security commitments?

The US Steps Back

For years, the US has been a key part of Europe’s defense through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a political and military alliance of countries from Europe and North America.

Recent calls from the US to cut overseas spending suggest a reduced American presence in Europe. While the US has not announced any major cuts to NATO funding, it did announce that funding that went to individual countries will be cut to zero in 2026. This means that Europe will soon have to handle its own defense with far less American support.

The Big Price Tag

A report from the International Institute for Strategic Studies shows that the US pullback could cost European countries up to $1