For decades, Europe has talked about autonomy. Since Charles de Gaulle’s vision of a Europe strong enough to defend itself, the continent has hesitated to fully break free from its dependence on outside powers – especially the United States. Strategic sovereignty has become a buzzword in Brussels, but real progress has remained elusive. Ironically, Donald Trump – the very American president many Europeans fear – might be the catalyst the EU needs to finally step up and take control of its own destiny.

The rise of Trump was not the signal of American abandonment that many in Europe feared. It was a wake-up call. During his first term, Trump made it clear that America’s security umbrella was not an unconditional gift. He demanded that NATO allies meet their defense spending commitments and questioned the automaticity of US military support if Europe refused to invest in its own protection. European leaders were alarmed, but the message was consistent with what American administrations, including Obama’s, had been saying in softer tones for years: Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its own defense.

In 2019, during a visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, the term “strategic sovereignty” dominated conversations. It was widely agreed that Europe should reduce its dependence on China for manufacturing, Russia for energy, and – surprisingly to some – even the United States for security. This wasn’t anti-Americanism. It was the acknowledgment that Europe needed to act in its own interest, regardless of who occupied the White House.

Then came the pandemic, and later Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Both events exposed the fragility of Europe’s systems. Supply chain vulnerabilities, overreliance on China, and energy dependence on Russia all came to the surface. In response, the EU chose the comfort of US leadership. Once again, Europe leaned heavily on Washington for direction, coordination, and military aid. Trump’s critics pointed to this as proof of why his approach was flawed. But in reality, it validated his message: Europe lacked the strategic confidence to act independently.

Trump’s bluntness forced Europe to confront uncomfortable truths. When he pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, European leaders tried and failed to preserve it without American involvement. This failure exposed how little actual autonomy Europe had when Washington charted a different course. Despite decades of integration and economic strength, Europe found itself unable to enforce its own policies on the global stage.

Now, with Trump likely returning to office, Europe once again faces the same question: will it cling to dependency or finally build the strategic confidence it has long discussed? A second Trump term should not be feared. It should be appreciated – not because Europe agrees with him ideologically, but because his presidency forces the EU to become what it claims to want to be: independent, resilient, and capable of defending its own interests.

Trump’s policies are often mischaracterized in Europe. On core strategic issues, there is more overlap than most Europeans admit. Both the US under Trump and the EU want to reduce energy dependency on Russia. Both want to avoid open conflict with Moscow. Both advocate for stronger defense capabilities among NATO members. The disagreement lies in tone and political style, not in strategic goals. The EU leans left, the Trump movement leans right – but both understand the risks of overreliance on external actors, and both understand the importance of sovereignty.

Europe now has an opportunity – perhaps its last, if current trends continue – to take control of its future. That means more than building a strategic compass. It means building actual capabilities: a European defense industrial base, a rapid response force, and above all, political will. NATO does not need to be dismantled, but it should no longer be a crutch. Europe can no longer pretend that American military guarantees are eternal or unconditional. They are based on mutual interest and commitment – not charity.

The idea that Europe cannot defend itself is nonsense. The EU is one of the wealthiest regions in the world. France has nuclear weapons. Germany has the economic muscle to lead a transformation in defense production. Poland and the Baltic states have shown that smaller nations can still prioritize strategic readiness. What Europe lacks is not resources. It lacks belief in itself.

Strategic confidence is not built overnight, but it starts with a decision: to act, to prepare, and to lead. Europe must no longer wait for Washington’s permission to act in its own interests. Nor should it panic when American politics veer in unexpected directions. A confident Europe is one that welcomes cooperation with the US, but no longer fears its absence.

Trump’s foreign policy approach, often labeled as “America First,” was really about burden-sharing. His criticism of NATO wasn’t a call for American isolationism; it was a demand that Europe become a real partner, not a passive beneficiary. If Europe responds by finally investing in its own defense and political autonomy, then Trump will have done more to fulfill de Gaulle’s vision than any European leader in recent memory.

Europe could also take lessons from India and Saudi Arabia – two countries that have mastered the art of strategic balancing. They maintain ties with the US, Russia, and China, without becoming overly dependent on any one partner. They make decisions based on national interest, not ideological alignment. This pragmatic approach has made them more resilient, more respected, and more effective. Europe, despite its greater resources and institutional sophistication, has lagged behind. It is time to catch up.

Germany and France must lead. Germany’s economic transformation, particularly in its energy and manufacturing sectors, can lay the foundation for a stronger Europe. France, with its military capabilities and geopolitical assertiveness, must help build a continental security architecture that complements – but does not rely entirely on – NATO. If Berlin and Paris take real action, the rest of the EU will follow.

The return of Trump should be seen not as a threat but as a test. If Europe fails it again – if it continues to hide under the American umbrella without contributing meaningfully to its own defense – then it must stop pretending that strategic sovereignty is its goal. But if it rises to the challenge, builds its own institutions, and believes in its own strength, then the Trump era may prove to be the turning point Europe needed all along.

In short, Trump may be the best chance Europe has to finally become the Europe it says it wants to be. Whether it succeeds is up to Europe – and only Europe.

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