A stark reassessment of Europe’s security posture is urgently needed in light of a shifting transatlantic landscape, according to Manfred Weber, leader of the European People’s Party and its parliamentary group. Weber’s comments, delivered to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, underscore a growing sentiment within European political circles that the bloc can no longer reliably depend on U.S. security commitments.
“2025 represents a pivotal year, highlighted by Donald Trump’s security strategy” Weber stated, articulating a scenario where Europe finds itself increasingly vulnerable. He described a situation of “Europe standing exposed in a cold world full of storms” directly criticizing what he perceives as an over-reliance on Washington’s foreign policy directives.
The CSU politician emphatically argued for a decisive break from this pattern. “We must cease shaping our policies based on papers from Washington. Even after Trump, no American administration will solve our problems. We must write our own security strategy, rigorously examine the architecture of Europe and finally act with self-assurance.
While acknowledging progress in developing a European defense pillar, including joint procurement of weaponry and the conceptualization of a European drone defense system, Weber voiced concern over the pace of implementation. He specifically advocated for accelerating towards the creation of a genuinely European army, signaling a move beyond current incremental steps.
Perhaps most controversially, Weber called for an end to the requirement of unanimous consent in European foreign policy decisions. He recognized the challenges posed by nations like Hungary, currently obstructing certain initiatives and proposed that a coalition of “the self-assured” should overcome this stalemate and drive forward a more cohesive and assertive European foreign policy agenda. This suggestion could spark significant internal debate within the EU, as it challenges traditional consensus-building methods and potentially creates divisions based on differing levels of commitment to a stronger, more independent Europe. The underlying message, however, remains clear: Europe must assume greater responsibility for its own security and geopolitical positioning, irrespective of future U.S. administrations.