As the global balance of power shifts rapidly, an urgent question has resurfaced in political circles across Europe: Does Europe need its own independent foreign policy?
The debate is no longer theoretical — it’s becoming a matter of necessity as Europe faces increasing challenges on multiple fronts.
A Dependent Continent
Historically, Europe’s foreign policy has been closely tied to that of the United States. Through NATO, the EU-U.S. partnership, and broader Western alliances, Europe largely aligned itself with American leadership after World War II and during the Cold War.
However, recent events — including the U.S.’s pivot to Asia, growing competition with China, unpredictable American domestic politics, and tensions over how to deal with Russia — have exposed vulnerabilities in Europe’s dependency.
European leaders now realize that relying too heavily on Washington can leave them exposed when U.S. interests shift. The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, disagreements over sanctions policy, and diverging approaches to China have underlined that Europe’s and America’s priorities do not always align.
The Case for Strategic Autonomy
French President Emmanuel Macron has been the loudest voice calling for “strategic autonomy,” arguing that Europe must be able to defend its interests without relying on others. This means not just military independence but also having a coherent diplomatic and economic strategy globally.
Why does Europe need its own foreign policy?
- Defense and Security: The U.S. security guarantee through NATO is powerful but not absolute. A more autonomous Europe could better safeguard its own borders and influence neighboring regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
- Economic Interests: Europe’s major trading partners — China, the U.S., India — each demand nuanced engagement. Europe’s interests often differ from America’s more confrontational stance, especially in trade and technology.
- Global Influence: As emerging powers rise, Europe risks being sidelined if it cannot speak and act cohesively on global issues like climate change, digital governance, and human rights.
The Obstacles
Despite the clear need, creating a unified European foreign policy is easier said than done.
- Diverging National Interests: Europe is not a single country. Germany’s economic ties to China, France’s security concerns in Africa, and Eastern Europe’s threat perception of Russia make agreement difficult.
- Institutional Weakness: The EU’s current foreign policy framework — led by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs — often struggles with slow decision-making and requires consensus among 27 member states, which can paralyze action.
- Military Capabilities: Europe’s defense capacities are fragmented. While some nations have robust militaries (like France), many others are underfunded and dependent on NATO, meaning primarily the U.S.
A New Reality Requires a New Approach
The Ukraine war, rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, and the possibility of an isolationist U.S. president in the future have served as wake-up calls. Europe can no longer afford to sit comfortably under the U.S. umbrella without preparing for a world where it must defend its values and interests independently.
That does not mean cutting ties with America — far from it. But it does mean having the strength and unity to act when U.S. priorities do not align with European needs.
Conclusion
Yes, Europe urgently needs its own foreign policy — one that is credible, coordinated, and capable of projecting power and influence globally.
Without it, Europe risks becoming a bystander in a world increasingly shaped by larger, more decisive powers.
The choice is between shaping the future — or being shaped by it.
