# Europe's credibility gap > Dependence on America has left Europe with little to offer would-be partners seeking security, trade and finance. - Title: Europe's credibility gap · Foreign Affairs | Shortify - Summary: Dependence on America has left Europe with little to offer would-be partners seeking security, trade and finance. Europe's reliance on US military, economic… - Keywords: europe, united states, nato, defense spending, trade agreements, geopolitics, transatlantic relations, ukraine, energy security, technology, world, politics - Source: Foreign Affairs — https://foreignaffairs.com/europe/europes-credibility-gap - Author: Claas Mertens - Published: 2026-10-19T08:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: europe, united states, nato, defense spending, trade agreements, geopolitics, transatlantic relations, ukraine, energy security, technology, world, politics ## Trump ends the old order The Trump administration declared the days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over. > the days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over ## Europe steps into the gap Europe filled gaps left by US withdrawal from Ukraine in two thousand twenty-five. It set up a one hundred sixty-eight billion dollar defense-loan scheme with Canada as first non-European member and finalized its largest trade… ## But Europe remains dependent European defense, command, nuclear deterrence and military systems still rely on American capabilities.Increased defense spending buys American weapons. ## Dependence weakens Europe's offer Europe's credibility with other countries seeking security, technology and economic ties has weakened.For decades the European offer relied on its relationship with Washington. ## What Europe used to offer European countries presented themselves as leaders on environment, consumer protection and high regulatory standards.They dangled EU membership to neighbors and promised developmental and humanitarian partnerships through aid.Thirteen countries joined the EU since two thousand four. ## The world's needs have changed US retrenchment accelerated a more bellicose might is right disorder. Countries now seek security partnerships to shore up defense, stable trade relationships to protect against economic warfare, and financing to make up for aid cuts… ## Ukraine's changing needs When Ukraine turned to Europe in the early two thousand tens, it sought prosperity and modernization through economic integration. ## Europe blocks its own partners Partners hit by Trump's tariffs need reliable markets for exports.But Europe defended its own economies instead of opening markets. ## Europe's financing moves too slowly Europe has potential to finance infrastructure and energy transition for partners.But its commitments take far too long to become completed projects. ## Europe's military spending rises In two thousand twenty-five, EU member states' combined annual military expenditure was approximately four hundred sixty-one billion dollars, less than the United States' nine hundred fifty-four billion but higher than China's three hundred thirty-six billion… ## Europe funds Ukraine through 2027 When the United States wound down aid to Ukraine in two thousand twenty-five, European governments made up most of the shortfall. They have since committed to financing Kyiv's war effort through twenty twenty-seven. ## Europe's trade successes The EU's twenty twenty-six trade agreement with India removed nearly all tariffs for both parties and reduced nontariff barriers. It made it easier for Indians and Europeans to temporarily work in each other's markets. ## Europe's fragmentation blocks unity Europe has substantial assets across security, trade and finance but lacks internal cohesion to bundle them into comprehensive packages.Defense budgets, industries and forces remain primarily national. ## Trade deals stuck in ratification Many European trade agreements need ratification in each country, leaving them at mercy of domestic lobbies. ## Europe's financing is fragmented Europe channels finance through a byzantine set of EU instruments, member-state agencies, development banks and changing flagship initiatives. Partners navigate this morass of funding sources, each with their own procedures, timelines and conditions. ## Europe must reduce US reliance Europe must reduce reliance on US defense commitments and equipment, moving toward becoming a more equal partner within NATO. ## Europe must build tech independence Europe has scale, capital, universities and industrial base to be a tech power. But lack of later-stage financing, fragmented product markets and talent shortages drove founders of Hugging Face, Arm and Wise to expand or… ## Europe must secure energy Europe must reduce energy and raw-material dependence.The war in Iran showed exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets can harm overreliant economies. ## Europe needs retaliatory power Europe created its Anti-Coercion Instrument in twenty twenty-three, a bundle of economic countermeasures including tariffs and restrictions on imports, exports and access to EU procurement. ## Europe must find new partners Rather than mourn the loss of its partner in Washington, Europe must find new ones built on recognition that most countries cannot resist great-power coercion alone. ## Key takeaway Europe's reliance on US military, economic and technological support has undermined its ability to attract new partners as American commitment to global order weakens.