European nations marked the 80th anniversary of WWII's end on Thursday (May 8) amid deepening transatlantic tensions, as the once-united U.S.-Europe alliance faces unprecedented strain under former President Donald Trump's shifting policies. The Guardian and New York Times report that Trump's transactional diplomacy, combined with Europe's awakening to its overreliance on Washington, has forced the continent to confront the monumental challenge of forging unity in defense and strategy.
A Fractured Alliance
Trump's potential return to power has rattled Europe. His recent threats to negotiate unilaterally with Russia over Ukraine, coupled with demands for NATO allies to "pay their fair share" and inflammatory rhetoric questioning the value of defending Europe, have left leaders scrambling. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, just days into his term, met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to reaffirm commitments to a "strategically autonomous Europe." The Franco-German axis, long the EU's driving force, now faces the urgent task of translating rhetoric into action.
Defense Spending Soars
EU nations are rapidly boosting military budgets. Macron has set France's defense spending at 3.5% of GDP (€30 billion increase, approx. HK$263.2 billion), while Merz champions expanded defense and infrastructure investments. Sixteen EU countries, including Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states, now exceed EU budget limits to fund security upgrades.
Unity Tested
Yet the New York Times notes that Europe's path to autonomy is fraught with division. Years of costly support for Ukraine have drained budgets, fueling backlash. Far-right parties like Germany's AfD and France's National Rally are capitalizing on public frustration over inequality and nationalism. "If Europe wants a defense capability matching its economic clout, it must unite and respond to the U.S. with boldness," said Roger Cohen, the Times' Paris bureau chief.
Strategic Crossroads
As Europe navigates a world where U.S. commitments are no longer guaranteed, questions loom: Can it reconcile competing national interests? Will populist forces derail collective action? The answers will define whether the continent can secure its future-or remain tethered to a fading transatlantic order.
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