Analysis
European leaders are scrambling to increase their self-reliance in defense but remain highly dependent on American-made weapons systems.
Threats by the Trump administration have rattled nerves and turbocharged European efforts to build out alternative supply chains and defense systems as leaders across the continent wonder whether the United States will abandon its treaty commitments to the region.
The flurry of activity follows a series of remarks in which President Donald Trump suggested earlier this month that the United States would not defend its allies if they spent too little on defense.
“If they don’t pay, I’m not going to defend them. No, I’m not going to defend them,” Trump told reporters at the White House on March 6….