Brussels (TDI): In response to Trump’s threats to withdraw from NATO, Europe has started “structured discussions” on replacing US in NATO, in the next five to ten years.
The plan is still in the preliminary informal discussions phase but major European countries, including Germany, United Kingdom, and France plan to present the proposal before the Trump administration prior to the NATO Summit in Hague in June, according to media reports.
The Russia-Ukraine war has tested NATO’s unity and a general sense now prevails in Europe that it cannot depend on the United States for its defense and security.
US has been a guarantor of European security for the last eight years, but with Trump assuming office earlier this year, things have changed.
Germany, UK, France and the Nordic countries are taking part in the discussions around US replacement.
Europe desires that instead of a hasty withdrawal, it should convince the Trump administration on a transition plan.
If enacted, it will be the second major transition involving European countries – the first being Brexit.
Estimates suggest that it will take five to ten years to fully replace US, which contributes 80,000 to 100000 personnel stationed in Europe.
In addition, US contributes 15.8% to NATO’s defense budget. Replacement means that European countries will have to spare more funds, allocate more personnel, and boost equipment stockpile substantially.
Read More: UK, NATO Support Ukraine’s Peace and Sovereignty
Reports suggest that Europe and Canada will have to increase the weapons and equipment stockpile by 30%.
Trump’s infighting in NATO culminated in an aggressive exchange with Ukraine’s Zelensky in the Oval Office, earlier this month.
Another stark reminder of the differences with Europe are evident in trade tariffs.
These moves of the Trump administration are making Europe insecure in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with its outcomes and the prospects of a ceasefire still undecided.
“Increasing spending is the only play that we have: burden sharing and shifting the dial away from US reliance,” a European official was quoted saying by the Financial Times, about the replacement plan.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
