(The Wall Street Journal, Bojan Pancevski and Daniel Michaels, April 15, 2026)
Europe is developing a backup plan informally called the “European NATO” to be able to defend itself autonomously using the alliance’s existing structures, in case the United States reduces or withdraws its commitment, with the goal of maintaining deterrence against Russia, operational continuity, and nuclear credibility even without American support.
Germany, historically opposed to an autonomous European approach, has changed its position under Chancellor Friedrich Merz due to concerns about the reliability of the United States during the Trump presidency, thus unlocking consensus among allies such as the United Kingdom, France, Poland, Nordic countries, and Canada for a more European-led alliance within NATO.
The plans foresee increasing European presence in NATO command and control roles, filling gaps left by potential American withdrawals in sectors such as air defense, logistics, exercises, intelligence, and nuclear deterrence, while also accelerating European production of critical equipment in which Europe is lagging, such as anti-submarine warfare, space, aerial refueling, and hypersonic missiles.
Historic shift in the German position
“For decades Germany resisted French demands for greater European sovereignty in defense, preferring to keep the United States as the ultimate guarantor of European security. Now this is changing under Chancellor Friedrich Merz due to concerns about the reliability of the United States as an ally during the Trump presidency and beyond.”
Need to take on more responsibility
“It is also clear that we Europeans must take more responsibility for our defense, and we are doing so. NATO must become more European to remain transatlantic.”
Transition towards a more European NATO
“The alliance will be more European-led, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently said. The difference now is that Europeans are taking initiatives on their own, due to Trump’s growing hostility, rather than as a result of American pressure.”
Message to America
“The basic message to our American friends is that after all these decades it is time for Europe to take more responsibility for its own security and defense.”
Discussions on the French nuclear deterrent
“After Trump threatened to invade Greenland, Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron initiated discussions on whether the French nuclear deterrent could be extended to cover other European nations, including Germany.”
(Excerpt from the newsletter by Giuseppe Liturri)
