EU-NATO Security Alignment in the Age of Trump 2.0 (iss.europa.eu)

• Technical cooperation remains high, with 74 active areas of collaboration.
• US protectionist pressure on EU defense procurement is creating significant political friction.
• Shift toward European-led contingency planning as reliance on the US 'backbone' faces uncertainty.

"The EU and NATO partnership faces severe structural challenges exacerbated by a shifting US stance under the Trump administration. While technical and staff-level cooperation remains robust in areas like hybrid threats and infrastructure protection, political friction—driven by US pressure on procurement and Greenland territorial disputes—has weakened institutional cohesion. The EU is increasingly compelled to build independent military capabilities and regional stabilization mechanisms, hedging against the potential volatility of US security guarantees."