With Trump's Return, the Transatlantic 'Great Debate' Resumes

With the election of Donald Trump as US president again, the 'Great Debate' about transatlantic burden-sharing for the defence of Europe that started in 1950, but remained subdued during and since the Cold War, has reached a head and will determine the future of transatlantic relations. Trump has regularly suggested, often vituperatively, that he believes the cost of NATO outweighs the benefits. While he may not attempt to withdraw the United States from NATO, his national-security team appears poised to substantially diminish US ground forces in Europe and American responsibility for European security to turn primary attention to the Asia-Pacific. Whether the Europeans are willing or able to step forward to fill the gap remains unclear. More coordinated spending between the European members of the Alliance is required, with a greater focus on fielding combat-ready troops and revitalising the continent's defence-industrial base.