European Countries Develop Contingency Plans in Case the US Leaves NATO
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BRUSSELS – European countries are preparing contingency plans to survive if the United States withdraws from NATO membership, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal citing several sources. The plan, designed to ensure Europe’s ability to defend itself independently by utilising the existing NATO military structure, is reportedly gaining momentum following support from Germany, its long-time opponent.
The plan is not intended to rival the North Atlantic Alliance, but to ensure European defence if the United States withdraws its troops or refuses to provide assistance. According to the report’s sources, ideally, the US would remain in NATO, but most regional defence responsibilities would be transferred to European countries.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the plan began in 2025 and has been accelerated since US President Donald Trump threatened to take over Greenland. The need for the initiative is considered more urgent after Europe refused to assist the US in operations against Iran.
Previously, Germany supported the US role as Europe’s primary security guarantor. However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz now doubts the US’s reliability as an ally under the Trump administration or in the future.
Berlin’s change of stance has prompted stronger support from other European countries, including the UK, France, Poland, Nordic countries, and Canada. These countries view the plan as a kind of “voluntary coalition” within NATO.
Supporters of the plan also believe there is a need for mandatory military service and accelerated European defence production in sectors still lagging behind the US, such as anti-submarine warfare, space capabilities and intelligence, aerial refuelling, and air mobility.
On 1 April, Trump claimed he was seriously considering withdrawing the United States from NATO after his allies refused to join the war against Iran. Trump also stated that he no longer views Europe as a reliable defence partner after European countries refused to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.