Simone Chiusa & Lorenzo Fedrigo

Redefining European Defense: EU Security Policy in the Trump Era

Backgrounders - Feb 19, 2025

Flickr Strong Europe Tank Challenge 2018, modified, U.S. Army Europe and the German Army co-host the third Strong Europe Tank Challenge at Grafenwoehr Training Area, June 8, 2018. The Strong Europe Tank Challenge is an annual training event designed to give participating nations a dynamic, productive and fun environment in which to foster military partnerships, form Soldier-level relationships, and share tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Army photo by Christoph Koppers) - https://www.flickr.com/photos/7armyjmtc/27902603277/

President Trump’s geopolitical pivot from Europe will boost previous efforts by Brussels to enact a more autonomous European defense posture. Yet structural challenges loom large over the process.