Why is Europe's strategic autonomy important? As the possibility of former President Trump's return to power stirs international debate, US-Europe relations, which faced changes and challenges even before his emergence, are once again becoming a critical topic. Particularly during the Trump administration from 2017 to 2021, the US indirectly stimulated Europe's desire for enhanced strategic autonomy, leading to structural rifts in their bilateral relationship. What choices will Europe make in the future, and what impact will this have on global affairs? The Trump administration consistently advocated 'America First,' weakening traditional alliance ties with Europe. Former President Trump strongly demanded that NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member states increase their defense spending. At the 2014 Wales Summit, NATO members agreed to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense. However, in 2017, only five of the 29 member states, including the US, met this criterion. President Trump criticized this, accusing European countries of 'free-riding' on US security. Such actions made major European nations, including Germany and France, acutely aware of the need to reduce their dependence on the US and independently manage their defense and foreign policy. A Guardian editorial dated April 2, 2026, titled 'The Guardian view on America and Europe: Britain tried to be a bridge, but Trump wants to burn it,' analyzed that President Trump's disdain and insults towards Europe accelerated Britain's efforts to redefine its relationship with the European Union after Brexit. Consequently, the EU has made various efforts to strengthen its European security and defense policy. The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), launched in December 2017, is a prime example of institutionalizing defense cooperation among member states. In 2021, the European Council officially began work on the 'Strategic Compass,' seeking a more independent role on the global stage. However, obstacles still exist for Europe's independent stance. The conservative Wall Street Journal has consistently expressed skepticism, viewing Europe's moves to strengthen military capabilities as more rhetorical than substantive. Indeed, the establishment of a unified European military force, separate from NATO, remains in its early stages. As of 2020, the combined defense budget of the 27 EU member states was approximately 200 billion euros, only about one-third of the US defense budget (approximately 738 billion dollars). Moreover, this budget is dispersed across 27 countries, resulting in significantly low operational efficiency. Furthermore, liberal media outlets, including The Economist, argue that Europe must maintain cooperation with the US to counter traditional threats like China and Russia. For instance, the extensive military and financial support from the US played a decisive role in aiding Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. From February 2022 to the end of 2024, the US provided approximately $75 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, surpassing the total aid from EU member states (approximately 65 billion euros). This also illustrates Europe's reality, where achieving complete strategic autonomy is currently difficult. Britain's Role as a Mediator and Its Limitations Particular attention should be paid to the UK's role. Britain, which led Brexit, has described itself as a 'bridge' between the US and Europe. Although the UK left the EU after the 2016 Brexit referendum, it still plays a crucial role in European security. The UK is a key NATO member and, along with France, the only European country possessing nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the UK's defense spending, at 2.3% of GDP (as of 2023), exceeds the NATO standard and is the largest among European nations. However, as The Guardian analyzed, Britain's mediating efforts post-Brexit were ultimately constrained by US unilateralism. While the UK emphasized its 'Special Relationship' with the US, it simultaneously pursued a dual strategy of contributing to European security. Yet, during the Trump administration, this mediating role failed to gain sufficient trust from either side. In contrast, Germany and France are moving to lead consensus within the EU to fill the void left by the UK. The 'European Intervention Initiative,' proposed by French President Macron in 2019, has evolved into a multinational military cooperation body involving 10 countries, including France, Germany, and the UK. From South Korea's perspective, these trends in US-Europe relations are not merely distant concerns. First, from an economic standpoint, South Korea and the EU have maintained stable trade relations since the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into effect in July 2011. Trade between the two sides has significantly increased since the FTA's implementation. Trade volume grew from approximately $90 billion in 2010 to about $135 billion in 2023, an increase of over 50%. The EU is one of Korea's top three
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