The EU haven't lost their leverage, they just didn't use it.
The EU haven't lost their leverage, they just didn't use it.
If Trump refuses to honor his NATO obligations to help protect allies against aggression Europe can simply close all US military bases on our territory. What good are they to us if you won't help us when needed? The US is able to operate on this continent only because we allow it.
If the US is not an ally (and it sure seems they are not) why would we want to host your military bases? They are supposedly here for our protection but really they mainly serve to project American strategic influence, just like NATO. The Trump regime threatens that balance at their own risk.
As far as trade, the EU can easily go elsewhere to find trading partners that won't behave like third rate mobsters. It's way past time that we reduce our overreliance on the US.
We can refill our military bases with sovereign soldiers and equipment. The US will lose most of its influence in Europe.