EDITOR'S CORNER: Withdrawal of USA from Europe?

Since Trump came into power, there has been talk that the USA might withdraw troops and armaments from Europe, with its focus shifting toward the Pacific. This topic feels especially relevant this week, after China’s Victory Parade on September 3, 2025, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. What we saw was an impressive display of Chinese weaponry—some new, some already known—all of it worrying.

In this post, I want to cover what it could mean if the USA withdraws or reduces its support in Europe. And, for a change, let’s take a look at how much of a threat China poses on the global stage. We tend to focus on Russia, but I think China is the real sleeping dragon—one that could wake up and breathe fire.

WHY DOES THE WHITE HOUSE WANT TO MAKE A CHANGE NOW?

NATO has hosted U.S. troops in Europe since the end of the Second World War. Over the decades, Europe has built a defensive strategy—primarily aimed at Russia—that has relied heavily on American troops and weapons. Some argue this is unfair, and that Europe should fund and strengthen its own military capabilities. Yet the reality is that this arrangement has long suited the United States, giving Washington influence in Europe while projecting power abroad.

Since Trump came to power, however, the old order has stopped working as it once did. The global system established after World War II is now crumbling beneath our feet. In Trump’s America, the mood toward Europe has shifted sharply. Under Biden, Europe was treated as a close and trusted ally. Now, however, we are increasingly portrayed as obstacles to America’s economic growth—dependents relying on U.S. money for Ukraine and even for our own defense. The message from the White House has turned from friendly to almost adversarial.

This shift is why Trump is pushing to withdraw troops from Europe. On one hand, it’s about saving money and partly reallocating forces to the Pacific, where competition with China is intensifying. On the other, it’s a political signal—a way to tell Europe that America will no longer carry the burden alone, and that the era of "free-riding" is over.

HOW MUCH OF A THREAT IS CHINA TO USA AND REST OF WEST?

China presents a very different kind of challenge compared to Russia. While Moscow leans heavily on military intimidation and energy leverage, Beijing combines economic power, technological ambition, and expanding military strength. Through massive investments in infrastructure under the Belt and Road Initiative, dominance in critical supply chains, and aggressive advances in high-tech sectors such as AI, semiconductors, and green energy, China has extended its influence far beyond its borders. At the same time, its navy is now the largest in the world by number of ships, and its missile arsenal is clearly designed to deter U.S. presence in the Pacific.

For the West, this makes China not just a regional competitor but a systemic rival. If Washington shifts more of its resources to counter Beijing, Europe risks being left increasingly exposed. Yet ignoring China is not an option either. Its authoritarian model, combined with its ability to project power through trade, technology, and military partnerships, poses a direct challenge to Western values and security. 

The "sleeping dragon" is no longer asleep—it is wide awake, testing its wings, and preparing to reshape the balance of global power. This was on full display at China’s recent military parade and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, where President Xi Jinping sought to project himself as the commanding leader of a rising "axis" of nations.

EUROPE NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS OWN DEFENCE 

Not everyone will agree with this perspective, but one fact is undeniable: the world has changed. Trump’s foreign policy signals only highlight a deeper shift in the geopolitical environment around the world. Russia is intensifying its assault on Ukraine with more drones, missiles, and counterattacks, while simultaneously targeting the rest of Europe through disinformation campaigns and acts of sabotage. At the same time, China is rising as a systemic rival to the West. Together, these dynamics are creating a far more dangerous and unstable world than we have known in decades.

This is why Europe must confront reality: we cannot continue to depend almost entirely on the United States for our security. For decades, NATO has rested on American troops, technology, and funding. But with Washington’s attention moving toward the Pacific, Europe has no choice but to take greater responsibility. That means real investments in our militaries, stronger defense industries, and coordinated strategies that ensure we are not left vulnerable if U.S. support declines. Dependence may have been sustainable in the past, but today it is a liability. If Europe wants to remain secure, relevant, and respected, it must deliver more than words—it must build the capabilities to defend itself, or risk becoming a powerless bystander in a world shaped by others.

That said, I do not agree with Trump’s rhetoric suggesting that the U.S. should withdraw from Europe or reduce its presence there. Any steps in that direction would send a dangerous signal to Russia, implying that Putin could push into Europe without consequences. From a U.S. perspective, maintaining a strong presence in Europe is essential—not only to reassure allies, but also to project strength and preserve America’s leadership on the global stage.

 

CONCLUSION

The world is changing, and Europe can no longer rely solely on the United States for its security. With Russia pressing its attacks on Ukraine and China emerging as a systemic rival to the West, the geopolitical landscape demands that Europe take responsibility for its own defense. Stronger militaries, coordinated strategies, and real capabilities are no longer optional—they are essential for Europe to remain secure, relevant, and respected.

At the same time, a sustained U.S. presence in Europe is crucial. It deters aggression, reassures allies, and maintains the balance of power on the global stage. Europe and the United States must work together, but the era of dependence is over. The West must face these challenges proactively, or risk being sidelined in a world increasingly defined by the ambitions of others.