The Americas

Recent publications

State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk poses for a photo with Patriot weapon systems at De Peel Barracks.

The risks of Europe’s reliance on U.S. defense products – and how to address them

Many EU member states remain dependent on the U.S. for critical defense capabilities, leaving Europe vulnerable to U.S. production constraints, shifting arms transfer priorities, and the risk that the Trump administration uses arms exports as political leverage in relations with European allies.

Dominik Tolksdorf

Flaggen der Europäischen Union und der Vereinigten Staaten

Transatlantische Druckpunkte

Wie Europa seine Verhandlungsmacht gegenüber den USA stärken kann

Tobias Lindner

Valbona Zeneli

Rachel Tausendfreund

Europa sollte seine Abhängigkeiten von den USA verringern und die Kosten einer Entkopplung für Washington erhöhen.

Skorsky type helicopters, guns, and CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters

How the German government should respond to new US arms export risks

Dominik Tolksdorf

With doubts growing about the reliability of the US under Donald Trump, transatlantic defense relations are coming under increasing scrutiny. The expert from the German Council on Foreign Relations argues that this poses a strategic risk the German government should take more seriously in future procurement decisions.

View of the ship ™ Excelsior ™ at the LNG Terminal Wilhelmshaven 1 of DET Deutsche Energie Terminal Wilhelmshaven, 30 04 2026

European Energy Security or Acquiescence?

A critical review of the 24 February 2026 United States-Central and Eastern Europe Joint Statement

Loyle Campbell

Sabrina Schulz

Folded hands of US President Donald J Trump during a meeting with Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office on March 3, 2026

Why and How Europeans Must Prepare for US Retrenchment

Justin Logan

Rachel Tausendfreund

While US restraint poses daunting challenges for Europe, forestalling a reckoning may be even worse.

European Group of Five (E5) Februar 2026

Europe Against Russia Without the US? Not Europe’s Preference but Possible

Karl-Heinz Kamp

Europe has the economic strength, financial resources, and defense industrial base to build up their own defenses against a Russia that is in decline in the coming years. All that is needed is political will.

As bombs drop across the Middle East, what will Merz say to Trump?

Dominik Tolksdorf

Merz has not directly criticised the US operation against Iran and will likely try to shift the focus of the conversation to topics he deems are particularly important for Europe.