A united front in favor of increasing defense budgets and upgrading NATO was presented by European leaders at the Munich Conference. However, messages about European defense autonomy and criticism toward the US point to a new phase in transatlantic relations.

According to Politico, Europe appears to be responding to US expectations by increasing defense spending while simultaneously reducing its dependence on North America. Yet Donald Trump may not be pleased with what American pressure is ultimately creating.

Throughout the Munich Security Conference on Friday, European leaders supported the need to strengthen defense budgets and reshape the transatlantic alliance with a more independent role for Europe. The message was clear: “Europe must strengthen its own sectors, such as defense forces, space and technology, to reduce its dependence on external powers, including the US,” leaders said, reinforcing a tone of European patriotism.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the importance of NATO for both Europe and the US, saying that “being part of NATO is an advantage for Europe, but also for the United States. Let us restore and revive transatlantic trust together.”

For his part, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to accelerate Europe’s strategic autonomy, warning that major powers must develop full strategic capacity — including in technology and defense — in order to become less dependent on third parties, including the US.

“Everything concerning Europeans must also be decided by Europeans. We will continue to live door-to-door with Russia, and we must define that neighborhood ourselves.”

“How can we place ourselves in a stronger negotiating position? In this new framework we must become stronger, more independent. I do not mean France. I do not mean Germany. I mean Europe as a whole. We must view power collectively as Europeans. We must free ourselves from dependencies in a range of sectors. We must set clear goals,” Macron said, as reported by DW. In other parts of his speech, he added:

“We made progress last year and we must continue on this path. We must accelerate our defense cooperation. We developed new tools such as SAFE, we found new resources. There is strong willingness in the market to finance us. It is not only about weapons, however. What we must show first and foremost is determination.”

The American reaction

US officials expressed satisfaction with the increase in European defense spending, as the US restructures its strategy and focuses more on the Asia-Pacific region. Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby praised Germany’s “historic and enormous shift” on defense spending.

However, differences remain between the American position and the European stance. Macron pointed out that Europe must show greater pride in the Union and not be swayed by Euroscepticism. At the same time, European leaders stated that Europe will continue to support Ukraine with money and weapons, while US support under Trump’s leadership has been significantly reduced.

Similarly, other European leaders, such as Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, stressed the importance of maintaining the transatlantic relationship and the mutual benefits of the alliance.

Europe, with the backing of Germany and France, appears to be moving toward a new agreed defense model based on strengthening strategic autonomy and avoiding excessive dependence on the US. Meanwhile, increasing defense spending remains central, as Europeans seek to assume a more independent role on the global geopolitical stage.