European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has delivered a stark and urgent warning to Brussels, declaring that the potential re-election of Donald Trump would pose a severe threat to Europe's security and the very foundation of the Western military alliance.
In a powerful address that underscored the high stakes of the upcoming US election, von der Leyen stated that Europe must urgently "prepare for the worst" and take its defence into its own hands. Her comments reflect a deep-seated anxiety within European capitals about the future of transatlantic relations.
A Dire Prognosis for NATO and Western Unity
The heart of von der Leyen's concern lies in Trump's well-documented scepticism towards NATO. During his first term, the former president repeatedly questioned the value of the alliance and threatened to withdraw US support for member nations he deemed to be not contributing sufficiently to their own defence.
"We have to prepare for the worst," von der Leyen emphasised, highlighting that a second Trump term could effectively dismantle the security architecture that has protected Europe since the end of the Second World War. Her speech signals a pivotal moment for the EU, pushing it towards strategic autonomy in defence—a topic long discussed but now treated with newfound urgency.
The Call for European Strategic Autonomy
Von der Leyen, who is widely expected to seek a second term leading the European Commission, framed this challenge as a catalyst for action. She argued that Europe can no longer afford to be complacent and must develop a robust, self-sufficient defence capability independent of unpredictable American political shifts.
This move towards "strategic autonomy" would involve:
- Strengthening European defence industries and supply chains.
- Fostering greater military cooperation and integration among EU member states.
- Increasing defence spending to meet and exceed NATO targets.
- Developing independent strategic command and intelligence capacities.
Her message is clear: the era of relying unquestioningly on the US security umbrella is over, and Europe's future safety depends on its own actions and investments today.
