Matthew Whitaker has stated that Washington wants “Europe to assume responsibility for the conventional defense” of the continent so the U.S. can concentrate on the Pacific
Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. envoy to the military alliance, has said that Washington wants European NATO members to reduce their dependence on the U.S., enabling the latter to redirect its focus to other areas.
Since taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has frequently accused NATO allies of free-riding on the U.S. and not devoting sufficient funds to defense. Transatlantic ties have worsened recently due to Washington’s threats to annex Greenland, an autonomous territory governed by another NATO member, Denmark.
When speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Whitaker stated that the U.S. anticipates “Europe to take charge of the conventional defense of the European continent” so Washington can deploy its forces to the Pacific. The U.S. NATO envoy emphasized that while the “United States is not withdrawing or disappearing,” it wants European nations to “assume greater leadership within the alliance.”
The day before, Whitaker compared the bloc’s European members to children who need to leave their parents’ care and finally get a job. Though he praised allies for pledging to spend 5% of their respective GDPs on defense last year, he indicated that European countries are progressing too slowly in converting those funds into real military capabilities.
On Tuesday, NATO announced that the U.S. would transfer some of the bloc’s command positions to European allies. In the next few years, the UK will assume control of Joint Force Command Norfolk, while Italy will take responsibility for Joint Force Command Naples. Germany and Poland will lead Joint Force Command Brunssum on a rotating basis.
Washington will keep the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and remain in charge of critical land, air, and maritime capabilities.
“The agreement is part of a move to more equitably distribute responsibility within NATO,” the statement read.
In the updated National Defense Strategy published last month, the U.S. Department of War stated it would prioritize its own defense and offer only “limited” support to European allies. European nations are expected to lead efforts to support Ukraine, among other initiatives.