Europe Plans Contingencies for Post-Trump NATO
European officials are advancing contingency plans to assume greater control within NATO if US President Donald Trump reduces or ends American involvement in the alliance, according to a report published Wednesday.
European officials are advancing contingency plans to assume greater control within NATO if US President Donald Trump reduces or ends American involvement in the alliance, according to a report published Wednesday.
The initiative, described by officials as a way to ensure continuity rather than replace NATO, focuses on shifting key command-and-control roles from US officers to European counterparts. The goal is to maintain military coordination and nuclear deterrence capabilities, particularly in relation to Russia, in the event of a US withdrawal.
The effort has gained momentum in recent months, with Germany emerging as a key supporter after previously opposing such proposals. According to the report, planning began roughly a year ago amid rising tensions between European governments and the Trump administration.
Trump’s repeated criticism of NATO, along with suggestions that the US could scale back its role, have contributed to growing concern among European allies. His recent positions during the Iran conflict, including frustration over limited allied support, have further intensified those discussions.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has also indicated a broader shift, saying the alliance is seeking to become more “European-led” and reduce reliance on American leadership structures.
The issue of burden-sharing has resurfaced in recent days, as several NATO members declined to participate in a US-led naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of talks with Iran. The refusal underscored ongoing divisions within the alliance over military coordination and strategic priorities.
Trump has previously warned that the US could reconsider its commitments to NATO if allies do not increase their contributions, and is reportedly weighing the possibility of reducing the American military presence in Europe.
European officials say the new planning is intended as a safeguard to preserve alliance cohesion, even if US policy shifts further in the coming months.