Toward a Declaration of European Independence

The Trump administration’s open and aggressive hostility toward Europe has led European leaders to undertake an urgent reassessment of their defense and security posture. In Germany, following Bundestag elections in February, the parties that will form the new government agreed to carve out an exemption from the “debt brake” to accommodate substantial new spending on the military and infrastructure. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen secured approval of a €150 billion “Readiness 2030” plan. France and the UK made plans to send troops and arms to Ukraine to support a hoped-for ceasefire. As the impact of these changes on domestic social spending becomes clear, however, opposition can be expected to increase, particularly from populist parties of the far right.