The Donald Trump administration has reacted sharply to the growing trend in the European Union toward a “Buy European” policy, threatening Brussels and EU member states with retaliatory measures, including possible trade restrictions and tariffs.
According to Politico, the Pentagon and Trump administration officials sent a formal warning to the European Commission as part of consultations on updating the EU Defense Procurement Directive. It explicitly states that Washington “strongly opposes any changes” that would restrict American companies’ access to European defense contracts.
“Protectionist and exclusionary policies that push American companies out of the market—while major European defense firms continue to reap enormous benefits from access to the US market—are the wrong path,” the US Department of Defense stated.
The threat comes amid the EU’s active promotion of the “European preference” principle in arms procurement, particularly following Trump’s repeated statements about the need for Europe to provide for its own defense and his criticism of transatlantic burden-sharing within NATO. In recent months, the EU has stepped up efforts to rearm and localize production, including significant restrictions on the purchase of non-European weapons using common funds.
Experts note that the conflict extends beyond the defense sector: similar “Buy European” approaches are being discussed for digital technologies, green energy, and other strategic sectors. The Trump administration has previously threatened countermeasures in response to European digital taxes, fines, and regulations (DSA/DMA) against Big Tech, calling them “discriminatory” against American companies.
Brussels has not yet officially commented on the latest warning, but European diplomats acknowledge that US pressure is complicating plans to strengthen the EU’s industrial and technological autonomy. Some countries (France and Italy) insist on a hard line of “European preference,” while Germany, the Netherlands, and other more liberal EU members fear escalation and the loss of access to American technology.