When Donald Trump returns to the White House, defense spending will once again be one of the most important issues facing Europe. Trump highlighted NATO’s European members’ low defense spending throughout his first term and frequently attacked them for taking advantage of the US. In addition to threatening to leave the alliance if European nations did not raise their spending, he made the false claims that they owed the US back payments and implied that the US would not defend nations that failed to reach spending commitments.
Trump is not the first president who is worried about European defense spending; he is the most clear and direct person. During the George W. Bush administration in 2006, a goal was set of 2% of NATO gross was given to defense. In the years after this agreement was ignored. Only three states, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Greece, followed this rule after Russia attacked Crimea in 2016. In 2024, NATO repeated its 2% target. The eastern states must assist the Trump administration in convincing countries farther away from Russia, especially powerful economies like Spain, Germany, France, and Italy, to boost their defense spending. It won’t be simple.
Changing in the nuclear world with Trump’s presence
Although there have been significant changes in the world’s security environment since Donald Trump’s first term, the president of the United States still has the power to deploy nuclear weapons. Trump has the power and resources to launch a nuclear strike at any time and for any reason. If he so desires, from the time he takes the oath of office until his successor becomes president.
The “nuclear football” lies at the heart of the system that allows US presidents to launch a nuclear strike at any time, dating back to the Eisenhower administration. A military assistant carries the “football,” officially known as the presidential emergency satchel, with the president wherever he goes.
Intentionally low-tech and offline to prevent vulnerability to hacking or technical issues, the heavy, black, leather-bound 45-lb. The aluminum satchel is thought to hold laminated sheets printed with dozens of nuclear war plans and options, instructions on how to communicate with the public during a national emergency, and a secure satellite phone.
The problem with European defense spending is one that every US president faces. What realistically can the United States do if Europeans refuse to increase their spending? The economies of the United States and Europe are closely related. The economies of North America and Europe together make up half of the global economy. With 48 of the 50 US states exporting more to Europe than to China, Europe is America’s biggest export destination.
What is the role of NATO in US defense?
The stability and security offered by NATO, which is largely supplied by the US, are essential to this economic partnership. America’s largest export market’s security could be at risk if it were to lessen its commitment to Europe, which would eventually have an impact on the domestic economy. When threatening to withdraw from NATO, the White House needs to take this crucial, however uncomfortable, aspect into account.
The way the Trump administration handles this issue will also affect areas outside of Europe. The next administration’s interactions with NATO countries should be closely watched by America’s allies, whether they are in the Middle East or East Asia. These are among the United States’ closest allies worldwide, after all. The president and vice president also always carry sealed plastic cards, which are about the size of credit cards and are colloquially referred to as “biscuits” since they look like cookies wrapped in foil. The “biscuit,” which is officially known as the sealed authenticator system, includes alphanumeric authentication codes that the president can use to confirm their identity.
Trump’s administration and nuclear weapon strike
President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance will have the means to strike with nuclear weapons for the duration of their administration.
Before taking the oath of office, the incoming president and vice president are briefed by a military aide, who may be speaking on behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who will outline their nuclear responsibilities, including how to convey a nuclear order to the National Military Command Center and US Strategic Command, according to Schwartz, who has been following the nuclear football closely for years.
By ignoring the issue of nuclear launch protocols and failing to reevaluate how to improve political oversight of the US nuclear arsenal, the Biden administration has lost a chance. Although she doesn’t think Donald Trump will willingly suggest limitations on his authority, she asserts that reforms may and should be done with enough political resolve. The president may have been briefed on nuclear war plans for the first and only time.
There is no reason to believe that any US allies abroad will be exempted if the US demands more defense spending and burden-sharing from them.
