Can Europe reduce its dependence on the US and at what cost?

In February 2026, against a backdrop of escalating tensions caused by US President Trump's tariffs, Greenland pursuit, and demands for increased European defense spending, European leaders are actively seeking to lessen their reliance on the United States. The US-Europe alliance is being tested as European leaders fear the end of US-led security protections. Despite US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assurances at the Munich Security Conference that the US is not abandoning its allies, many European leaders expressed the need for Europe to become more self-sufficient in both military and economic terms. This shift is driven by a perceived need for Europe to secure its own interests amidst growing uncertainty about the future of transatlantic relations.