Hegseth : Europe must Take Charge of Its Defense

April 23, 2025, Carlisle, Pennsylvania — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signaled a significant shift in America’s foreign policy regarding European security, declaring that the United States can no longer act as the sole guarantor. Speaking at the U.S. Army College, Hegseth emphasized the need for European nations to take primary responsibility for their own defense.

“The time when the U.S. was the sole guarantor of European security is over,” Hegseth stated. “It is long overdue. Europe must step up militarily and lead the way.”

This announcement reflects a broader reorientation of the Trump administration’s foreign policy since taking office on January 20, 2025. Hegseth’s comments come amid increasing calls for NATO allies to boost their military spending, with the Pentagon chief arguing that the existing target of 2% of GDP is inadequate given current global threats. He proposed raising the spending target to 5% of GDP, a significant increase compared to the financial commitments of most European nations. According to NATO data for 2024, only 23 of the 32 member countries have met the 2% threshold, with major economies like Germany and France contributing approximately 1.9% and 2.1%, respectively.

Hegseth argued that a more robust European defense posture would allow the U.S. to redirect resources towards other pressing priorities, particularly in countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

This shift in U.S. policy aligns with earlier statements made by Hegseth and the Trump administration. On February 12, 2025, during a meeting in Brussels with the Contact Group on Ukraine, he urged European nations to take the lead in providing military aid to Ukraine, asserting that U.S. troops would not be deployed to the region as part of security guarantees. This stance has raised concerns among European leaders about a potential decline in American support amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Reports indicate that the Trump administration is contemplating a withdrawal of up to 20% of U.S. troops stationed in Europe, reducing the presence from approximately 100 personnel, with 60 being permanent and the remainder on a rotational basis. The Pentagon is considering cuts to forces in Eastern Europe, which had been increased by the previous Biden administration in response to the conflict in Ukraine.

Hegseth stated that the final decision on the level of U.S. military presence would depend on the outcome of ongoing discussions with Russia, including an upcoming meeting between Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 25.