Overview
- Berlin’s spokesman Sebastian Hille rejected the paper’s critical tones toward the EU, affirmed the U.S. and Europe remain close partners, and acknowledged the need to cut economic dependencies.
- CDU figures Norbert Röttgen and Roderich Kiesewetter called the document a “second Zeitenwende,” argued the U.S. no longer stands with Europeans as before, and urged rapid military and economic strengthening.
- Greens co-leader Franziska Brantner said Europe must invest without delay in digital infrastructure, secure access to critical raw materials, and deepen defense and armaments cooperation.
- The U.S. National Security Strategy accuses the EU of undermining political freedom, urges Europe to take primary responsibility for its defense, presses for greater market access for U.S. goods and services, and lauds the rise of “patriotic” European parties.
- Historian Manfred Berg told Tagesschau the strategy represents a radicalization aimed at dividing the EU, contended the traditional transatlantic alliance as known no longer exists under current U.S. terms, and said the EU needs unity and more credible military capacity.