In a candid Tuesday interview with British outlet UnHerd, Vice President JD Vance delivered a bold message to Europe: it’s time to step out of America’s shadow and take greater responsibility for its own defense and policies. His remarks reflect the Trump administration’s push for a rebalanced alliance, emphasizing independence, fairness, and respect for the will of European voters.
A Call for European Military Independence
Vance didn’t mince words when addressing Europe’s reliance on U.S. military support. “Europe’s entire security infrastructure, for my entire life, has been subsidized by the United States of America,” he stated. He pointed out that, with the exception of nations like Britain, France, and Poland, “most European nations don’t have militaries that can provide for their reasonable defense.”
The vice president stressed that this dependence must end. “It’s not good for Europe to be the permanent security vassal of the United States,” Vance said, urging European nations to invest more in their own defense capabilities. His comments echo the Trump administration’s ongoing critique of European countries, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently warning, per Politico, that American military presence in Europe is not “forever.”
The push for increased defense spending is gaining traction. President Trump has advocated for NATO members to allocate 5% of their GDP to defense, a significant leap from the current 2% target. This proposal is expected to dominate discussions at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. Notably, only 7 of 30 NATO members met the 2% threshold in 2022, but that number surged to 23 in 2024 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Frustration with Immigration Policies
Beyond security, Vance expressed deep frustration with European leaders’ handling of immigration, accusing them of ignoring their citizens’ demands. “We’re very frustrated — ‘we’ meaning me, the President, certainly the entire Trump administration — that European populations keep on crying out for more sensible economic and migration policies, and the leaders of Europe keep on going through these elections, and keep on offering the European peoples the opposite of what they seem to have voted for,” he said.
This sentiment aligns with the administration’s view that many European governments are out of touch with their electorates, particularly on issues of border control and economic policy.
A Vision for Fair Trade and Alliance
Despite his critiques, Vance emphasized his admiration for Europe and its cultural ties to the United States. “I love European people. I’ve said repeatedly that you can’t separate American culture from European culture. We’re very much a product of philosophies, theologies, and of course the migration patterns that came out of Europe that launched the United States of America,” he noted.
However, he was clear that alliance doesn’t mean preferential treatment, especially in trade. Vance highlighted the need for fairness, pointing to the U.K. as an example of a more balanced trade partner compared to Germany, which he described as “heavily dependent on exporting to the United States but pretty tough on a lot of American businesses that would like to export into Germany.”
The administration’s guiding principle for Europe is straightforward: “fairness.” Vance believes this approach will foster stronger trade relationships and a more equitable alliance. “We very much see Europe as our ally. We just want it to be an alliance where Europeans are a little more independent, and our security and trade relationships are gonna reflect that,” he explained.
Responding to Ukraine’s Criticism
Vance also addressed recent criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused him of “somehow justifying” Russia’s invasion. The vice president dismissed the claim as “sort of absurd,” noting that the U.S. is “currently keeping [Zelensky’s] entire government and war effort together.” He clarified the administration’s stance: “We’re not on anybody’s side; we’re on America’s side.”
A New Chapter for U.S.-Europe Relations
Vance’s remarks signal a shift toward a more assertive U.S. foreign policy that prioritizes American interests while encouraging Europe to take charge of its own future. By calling for greater military investment, respect for voter priorities, and fair trade practices, the vice president is laying the groundwork for a redefined partnership—one rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility
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