Europe faces new challenges in the midst of Russian-Ukraine conflicts that are still ongoing. Now, the economic policy of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is again heating the situation with plans to apply new tariffs on goods from several countries. This policy further complicates the dynamics of global and encourages the European Union to strengthen its defense strategy.
On Monday (3/2/2025), European Union leaders gathered in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss steps to face Russia and the impact of US economic policies. This meeting also discussed the import tariffs charged by Trump on Canada, Mexico and China, which triggered concerns among European Union officials that similar policies could immediately target European countries.
In a meeting that took place at the Brussels Royal Palace, leaders from 27 European Union member countries also discussed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in two joint meal sessions.
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, stressed that this meeting was not an official peak meeting, but a forum for open discussions about European defense policies without issuing a concrete declaration or decision.
Focus Discussion: Relationship with the US and Defense Independence
The first session of the meeting discussed geopolitics and relations with the United States. Trump’s decision regarding trade tariffs is one of the main topics given its potential impact on the European economy.
In addition, Trump’s position in defense policy also added tension. The US president who had just started his second term on January 20, 2025 demanded that European countries to increase their own defense budget and reduce dependence on the US NATO alliance.
Transatlantic’s relationship heats up after Trump urged Denmark to hand over Greenland to the United States. In fact, he did not rule out the possibility of using economic pressure or military power to realize his desire, which increasingly caused unrest among European leaders.
The future of European defense
In this meeting, EU leaders also discussed long -term defense strategies. The focus is on increasing military capability, defense project funding, and efforts to strengthen cooperation through collective initiatives.
“Europe needs to be more independent in maintaining its safety,” Costa said in a letter sent to the leaders of the European Union. “We must be more resilient, more efficient, and more reliable in our role as a global defense actor.”
Some diplomats suggest a compromise approach in funding, such as joint loans compared to grants for defense projects. This step is considered more realistic to improve military capabilities without directing the state budget directly.
Increased defense expenditure has become a trend in many European countries, especially since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The event was a warning for the European Union about the urgency of strengthening defense on their own border.
With various challenges, the European Union is now at a crossroads to determine the direction of more independent defense and economic policies in the future.