“We’re America, Bitch!”: Europæisk og dansk sikkerhed under Trump

Abstract

The article argues that the unpredictability that has surrounded US foreign policy since the election of President Donald J. Trump is unlikely to disappear anytime soon and that it will have a severe impact on NATO. Trump is increasing US pressure on Europe to spend more on defence and American leadership within the Alliance is likely to diminish. NATO-Europe will be expected to take on more responsibility, in particular with regard to counter-terrorism. The uncertainty about US commitment to NATO will lead to an increase in bilateral relations within the Alliance and some states will begin to show early signs of so-called strategic hedging.This is reflected in the on-going debates about the prospects of strengthening the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the establishment of the so-called “European Intervention Initiative”. The election of Trump poses a set of challenges to Denmark. The Danish defence budget is low and Trump may jeopardize the traditionally broad parliamentary support for the Danish activism. The existing uncertainties call for a debate in Denmark about the need for supplementary security arrangements.