US Vice President J.D. Vance’s speech came as a shocker to some.
MUNICH, GERMANY: As delegates and participants gathered on Friday at an offsite venue sponsored by Deloitte in Munich, there was an unmistakable buzz in the air. No matter who this writer spoke with, they had all come to the same conclusion: the United States, under the Trump-Vance administration, sent a clear message about what they saw as the hypocrisy of the EU leadership, while clearly indicating that the US was pulling back from its role as the leader of the international rules-based order.
US Vice President J.D. Vance criticised the EU about cancelling election results. He was referring to a recent court ruling in Romania that annulled the Presidential election result, citing “outside forces” had used TikTok to change voter preferences. He implored leaders to listen to the voters and allow democracy to play out and that shared values should be prioritized over reckless immigration policies that led to domestic attacks like the one in Munich on Wednesday, injuring 36 people.
Many crafting policy within the Trump administration and even the President himself believe that America has been overburdened with the responsibility of keeping peace in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and other global hotspots.
J.D. Vance’s foreign policy speech reinforced this reality. With characteristic bluntness, Vance declared that American resources must serve American interests first. Ukraine, NATO, and the broader international community should not expect open-ended support from Washington. The American people deserve leaders who prioritize Ohio over Odessa, he quipped, a line that drew chuckles at home, but sparked concern across the Atlantic.
The implications were discussed vigorously at the Munich Security Conference, where leaders from Berlin to Brussels acknowledged the seismic shift underway. If there’s one thing this author has learned, it’s that the world abhors a vacuum. The void America is leaving behind will require nimble and deft leadership from Europe, Canada, Australia, India, and all aligned democracies. But is Europe ready?
The era of certainty for international security, underpinned by America’s nuclear umbrella and the international rules based order and economic free trade, is ending. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s address in Munich reflected a sobering acceptance of this reality. She called for strategic autonomy, urging member states to bolster defence spending and reduce reliance on external powers. Yet, one cannot help but wonder: is this merely rhetoric, or the dawn of a new, self-reliant Europe?
Vance’s speech and the Trump administration’s pivot inward demand a swift European response. The European Defence Fund, often bogged down by bureaucracy, must be streamlined. PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) initiatives need real teeth. And critically, Europe must build defence and technological infrastructure that rivals its geopolitical adversaries. The days of assuming an American cavalry is just over the horizon are gone.
This shift also brings economic challenges. Vance’s economic nationalism, as seen by some EU leaders, means Europe must reduce dependence on American markets while diversifying supply chains, particularly in critical sectors like energy, technology, and defence. The EU’s flirtation with China and Russia in past decades now seems more perilous than ever. But will the implementation of US tariffs on steel and aluminum against the EU actually backfire on the “America first” agenda by pushing them back towards China’s old habits? Let’s hope they have learned that lesson.
One thing is for sure, Europe has been navel gazing on its engagement with China, seeking new markets and opportunities with a state run authoritarian regime that has been undercutting European jobs for decades. They have also been slow to engage with the biggest democracy in the world, India, where opportunities for true win-win trade engagement is up for grabs, in a market now with a population surpassing China’s in 2024.
Humorously, the scene in Munich resembled a group of dinner guests realizing that the host just left them with the cheque. Amidst the serious panels, there were whispers about who would lead Europe’s defence efforts—Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, or perhaps the ever-pragmatic Finns, who joke they’ve been ready since 1939.
Yet behind the humour lies a harsh truth: the world is changing rapidly, and Europe cannot afford to be complacent. Vance’s America is just stepping back, it’s seem to be closing the door. The EU must now decide whether to step up or be left behind.
The world is watching. And waiting. But if this author was placing a wager, this wake-up call was going to be answered swiftly and with resolve.