Ursula von der Leyen has introduced an EU security plan that excludes the United States, as Washington’s commitment to European defense grows less certain. The initiative marks a clear break from decades of transatlantic dependence. Donald Trump’s administration has signaled a retreat from European defense, prompting Brussels to reconsider how it handles its own security.
In a 75-minute speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on September 16, 2026, von der Leyen did not mention the US once in her 22-page address. Instead, she focused on building a European-led security system and invited Canada and Norway to join, with the United Kingdom also among the partners, while leaving Washington aside. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney was in the chamber as von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the EU’s “first associated state” in security matters, a step short of full membership. Reuters and the European Commission have described this as the first public suggestion of an "associate member" status for a non-European partner.
"The concept of 'associate member' is not currently defined in EU treaties, making this a political initiative that would require new legal mechanisms to implement."
Reuters
The reasons for the shift are clear. Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw US troops from Europe. He has also pulled support from Ukraine and shown open hostility toward the European project. In response, the EU is accelerating work on its own defense structures, including a European Security Council that would bring together leaders from member states and select allies to coordinate strategy. Reports indicate that the council would include EU members and partners such as Canada and Norway, with Ukraine and the UK also cited, reflecting a broader network approach to security.
Von der Leyen’s plan borrows from NATO’s Article 4, which allows any ally to call consultations if its territory is threatened. The EU’s version, but, would operate independently of Washington, reflecting a new reality in which multilateralism is under strain and power politics are back in play. The Commission is also working to implement Article 42.7 of the EU treaties, which requires mutual defense among member states. The clause is sometimes compared to NATO’s Article 5, though it has rarely been tested. Materials from the European Parliament’s September session show renewed attention to strengthening the eastern flank and countering hybrid threats. The EU is also running scenario analyses to test its collective defense readiness.
Von der Leyen says the EU is not trying to oppose NATO, and 23 of the 27 EU countries are NATO members. But she warns that European institutions and decision-making have not kept pace with the current environment. The planned withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany is one sign of the changing situation. The EU is also running theoretical exercises to test its own mutual defense clause, though these efforts remain in the early stages.
"The new partnership format with Canada is set to cover not only defense, but also Arctic security, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and strategic technologies, as highlighted in multiple reports from September 2026."
Reuters
The growing distance from Washington is also visible in the EU’s approach to technology and artificial intelligence. Von der Leyen pointed to the risks posed by AI agents and called for a global debate with advanced partners such as the UK and Canada, again without mentioning the US. This fits a broader pattern: under Trump, the US has published a National Security Strategy that frames Europe as facing "the real prospect of civilizational disappearance" and supports far-right, eurosceptic parties seeking to "correct" Europe’s direction.
Von der Leyen calls for a strong, independent Europe able to defend its values and shape its own future. She warned against ultranationalists and anti-Europeans. She also cited Russian interference and disinformation, urging unity around the European idea and its defense.
The EU is building its own alliances and systems to protect its interests as old certainties fade. For Spain and other member states, this means adapting to a security environment in which European cooperation is impressive. The next few years will show whether Brussels can turn these proposals into real capabilities and whether Europe is ready to stand on its own.
