Description: The pivot away from its European allies instigated by US President Donald Trump has put Germany on a substantial rearmament path. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had secured the proposed majority support from the Bundestag for Germany’s debt restructuring and investing in strengthening the country’s defensive capabilities. Theories and speculations were raised regarding Europe’s independent capabilities since the US is no longer considered a reliable partner in deterring global security threats such as future Russian aggression. Currently the subject of developing nuclear deterrent capabilities by European countries has been highly brought up by French President Emmanuel Macron who has repeatedly stated that France could possibly provide Europe with a nuclear defense umbrella in a strategic partnership with the UK. Germany is presently highly dependent on US nuclear weapons stationed in the Bundeswehr airfield in Buchel, a capacity which could swiftly diminish under strategic animosities between the US and Europe.
Impact: Europe’s current geopolitical positioning enters uncharted territories as the stranding of relations with the US threw the continent’s pivotal countries into a perpetual arms race. Germany, France and the UK are expected to explore and expand further strategic ties in the upcoming period as the guarantees of Europe’s defense and security capabilities and independence lays within a possible initial trilateral alliance. Developing crises in several European countries such as Slovakia, Romania, Portugal and Austria put Europe’s stability in a severe risk where the continent’s defense no longer enjoys unequivocal support from the US. The private defense sector, amid recent political commitments from European leaders, experienced an upsurge which points to the artificially ignited arms race. Germany has renounced any possibilities of developing nuclear capacities from the time being, however, extensive military and security partnerships with France and the UK are expected to be devised in the upcoming period.