French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly called for the implementation of the idea of “European Procurement” or “European Preference” during European leaders’ summits, particularly the one held in Belgium on February 3, 2025, the first day of the AI summit in Paris on February 9, 2025, and in an interview with the Financial Times on February 14, 2025. Macron believes that strengthening industrial capabilities within the EU is a strategic necessity to address increasing security and economic challenges while reducing dependency on the United States in the defense sector. However, this initiative faces internal challenges due to divisions among member states and concerns about potential economic and political repercussions.
Macron’s Strategy
Macron aims to promote the purchase of European products, especially in the fields of defense and technology, based on the following orientations:
Enhancing European Sovereignty: Macron views “European Procurement” as a tool to enhance the independence of the European Union and reduce reliance on external suppliers, notably the United States, in defense and strategic industries. Given escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly with the war in Ukraine, the idea of achieving European self-sufficiency has become more urgent. Macron considers that strengthening the EU’s defense industrial capabilities is not merely an economic option but a strategic necessity aimed at protecting Europe from fluctuations in the foreign policies of major powers. Overreliance on Washington in the defense sector could pose a long-term threat to Europe’s ability to make independent decisions. Moreover, boosting European military production can provide the EU with a competitive edge and minimize supply chain risks during crises.
Supporting the European Industry: By encouraging member states to purchase European products, Macron seeks to stimulate innovation and enhance the competitiveness of European firms; benefits that would reflect positively on the economy and employment. France believes that developing an advanced European defense industry can boost industrial growth and create thousands of jobs on the continent. The push for “European Procurement” aligns with ongoing efforts to boost investments in research and development within the European defense sector, which will lead to the production of more advanced technologies.
Reducing American Dominance: This approach reflects a desire to decrease U.S. influence over European markets, particularly in the defense sector where many European countries rely on American military equipment. According to Macron, the EU should not merely be a market for American materials but must be capable of producing its own defense resources. This stance echoes broader concerns about U.S. policy trends, especially with Trump’s return to power, and the potential changes in Washington’s security commitments towards Europe. Moreover, excessive dependence on the U.S. imposes limits on the EU’s options during major crises, where Europe may find itself compelled to make decisions based on American interests rather than its own.
Responding to Geopolitical Challenges: As security threats rise, like the war in Ukraine, Macron contends that European Procurement is crucial for strengthening collective defense capabilities, especially given the shifting U.S. priorities regarding Europe. France recognizes that any change in the U.S. position could leave the EU vulnerable to threats from countries like Russia and China. Thus, developing a robust European industrial base is imperative. Additionally, prioritizing European production contributes to increased defense coordination among member states, enhancing Europe’s readiness to face future crises. In this context, Macron argues that Europe must be capable of acting flexibly in times of crises without waiting for decisions from across the Atlantic.
Impact of Trump’s Return
Trump’s return to power in the U.S. has direct effects on European defense balances and the ongoing debate about European Procurement policy within the EU:
Increased Pressure on European Governments to Import American Weapons: With Trump’s return, many European capitals face pressure from Washington to maintain imports of U.S. military equipment. The U.S. administration is working to persuade some member states that increased reliance on European capabilities could weaken the protective umbrella the U.S. provides through NATO. Moreover, some nations, particularly in Eastern Europe, see maintaining defense ties with Washington as a necessary guarantee for their security against Russian threats.
Growing Concerns About U.S. Commitment to Defending Europe: With Trump’s repeated statements about reducing American commitments to NATO, many European nations have begun to reassess their dependence on U.S. protection. Some European leaders believe that over-reliance on U.S. defense aid could become unsustainable, especially if Washington chooses to reduce its military role on the continent. As a result, some countries have started to support the idea of enhancing European defense capacities through European Procurement. This trend aims not only for self-sufficiency but also for creating an independent deterrent capability against external threats.
Deepening Divisions Among European Countries: Trump’s return has led to a split among European nations between those advocating for greater European defense independence and those preferring strong military coordination with the U.S. Major Western countries like France and Germany are pushing for a more independent policy, while Eastern European and Baltic states prefer to maintain defense partnerships with the United States. These divisions hinder efforts to unify European defense policies, making agreement on European Procurement more challenging.
Reassessing Joint Defense Projects: As external pressures rise, some European countries are amplifying their efforts to enhance joint defense programs, such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). This initiative seeks to improve military coordination among member states and develop joint weapon systems to reduce reliance on foreign imports. However, these efforts face political and economic challenges due to disagreements among some member states regarding the financing and management of these projects. Despite these challenges, the trend towards intensifying European defense cooperation has become more crucial due to the growing uncertainty over future American support. This development may lead to a restructuring of the EU’s defense priorities, ensuring a reduction in reliance on external suppliers and enhancing strategic autonomy.
Opposing Trends
European factors obstructing the implementation of this initiative can be attributed to the following reasons:
Continued Reliance on American Technology: Some European countries, particularly the Baltic states and Poland, prefer to continue purchasing American military equipment to secure Washington’s commitment to their security, especially in the face of Russia. These nations believe that their military relationship with the U.S. provides reliable security guarantees that European defense industry cannot ensure in the short term. Moreover, many of their military systems are integrated with American technology, making it difficult to shift to European purchases without incurring significant financial and technical costs. Amid ongoing tensions with Moscow, these countries view sole reliance on European weapons as a major risk.
Deficiencies in European Defense Production: The European defense industry is slow in production compared to U.S. suppliers, leading some countries to see “European Procurement” as a potential hindrance to their urgent defense capabilities. Due to inadequate military industrial infrastructure in certain European nations, the production and supply of military equipment take longer, which can create gaps in defense capabilities. Many European countries rely on rapid procurement in times of crisis, which is challenging with European suppliers because of long manufacturing times and contract approvals.
High Costs of European Products: European products are sometimes more expensive than their American counterparts, causing some governments to hesitate in adopting a European Procurement policy, particularly under budget constraints. This factor is crucial for countries with limited defense spending seeking to achieve the highest level of efficiency for their costs. Typically, American companies offer facilitated deals that include long-term support and maintenance packages, making European offers less economically attractive.
Political and Economic Pressures on Some European Governments: Certain European governments face pressure from American companies and political alliances that promote transatlantic military cooperation, making them reluctant to favor European products. Some European countries depend on American investments in their defense sectors, creating pressures from local industries to maintain trade relations with Washington. Additionally, the U.S. wields strong political influence within NATO, pressuring European allies to purchase American equipment as part of their joint defense commitments.
Viewing European Procurement Initiative as a Violation of Free Market Rules: Economic liberals argue that this approach may contravene free market rules within the EU, potentially inviting retaliatory policies from trading partners. They contend that imposing a preference for European products in the defense sector could lead to protectionist policies that could harm the European market’s global competitiveness. Countries reliant on exporting arms outside Europe may also face restrictions from countries affected by this policy, which could negatively impact their economies.
Potential Effects
Enhancing “European Procurement” has multiple contributions and challenges at the European level, including:
Supporting European Defense Autonomy: European Procurement helps reduce dependence on external suppliers, granting Europe greater capacity for making independent defense decisions. In light of escalating security risks, developing a domestic military industrial base alleviates concerns regarding constraints that non-European countries could impose on their defense exports, allowing the EU to develop defense strategies better aligned with its needs, free from external influences. During crises, such as the war in Ukraine, having self-sustaining resources that can be quickly mobilized without needing external approvals becomes crucial.
Enhancing Defense Coordination Among European Nations: European Procurement policy could prompt member states to strengthen collective military cooperation, leading to better integration in the defense manufacturing sector. This results in standardizing technical specifications for military equipment, facilitating maintenance and logistics among various European armies. Furthermore, European Procurement increases the potential for developing joint projects, such as air defense systems and ballistic missiles, thus reducing costs and enhancing operational efficiency. Additionally, deeper defense cooperation enables the establishment of joint military units capable of rapid response during crises.
Achieving Economic Gains for the European Defense Industry: Prioritizing European products boosts economic growth within the EU, with manufacturing companies benefiting from long-term contracts. This spurs technological innovation within the defense sector, enhancing Europe’s competitiveness in the global arms market. Moreover, supporting local production creates new job opportunities and develops high-tech skills within the continent. This financial backing for the defense industries ensures the continuation of research and development in areas like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity technologies, bolstering European security against modern threats.
Improving Capacity to Counter Non-Traditional Threats: If widely implemented, European Procurement can enhance the EU’s ability to address modern threats, such as cyber attacks and transnational terrorism. By supporting local defense industries, Europe can develop advanced technologies in cybersecurity and surveillance systems. This approach helps strengthen the defensive infrastructure of member states against non-traditional threats that may not require direct military intervention, while enhancing Europe’s cybersecurity sector reduces reliance on foreign firms, protecting sensitive data and information of European nations.
In conclusion, despite Macron’s efforts to advance this initiative, the divisions within the EU and concerns about potential American backlash hinder its full implementation. Nonetheless, geopolitical shifts, particularly the likelihood of decreased American commitment to Europe’s security, may render European Procurement a necessary option for some countries, potentially accelerating its gradual adoption, if only partially.
