Russian TV Mocks Europe's Defense Dilemma as Trump Tariffs Expose Strategic Vulnerabilities
State television laughs at Europeans needing American weapons to defend against American pressure. The crisis accelerates calls for EU strategic autonomy.
Russian state television is openly mocking Europe's defense predicament, highlighting what presenters call the absurdity of Europeans needing to buy American weapons to defend against American pressure over Greenland.
The viral clip, which has been shared thousands of times online, comes as transatlantic tensions reach new heights. Trump's 10 percent tariffs on eight European nations took effect this week, with the rate set to climb to 25 percent by June unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland.
The irony has not been lost on European observers. After years of depleting stockpiles to support Ukraine, European nations now face the prospect of purchasing American military equipment while simultaneously facing American economic coercion. According to Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, between 2020 and 2024, 64 percent of arms imported by EU NATO members came from the United States.
The Strategic Autonomy Debate
The crisis has accelerated calls for European strategic autonomy. The EU's 800 billion euro defense plan aims for full readiness by 2030, but Europe currently meets only 50 percent of NATO capability targets, according to defense analysts.
Some commentators are calling for a separate European defense alliance entirely. The idea of a "Defense Alliance of European Territory" as an alternative to NATO for continental defense is gaining traction in online discussions, reflecting growing frustration with American reliability as a security partner.
Germany's response has been instructive. According to the Carnegie Endowment, Germany's 2025-2026 procurement plan allocates only 8 percent of an 83 billion dollar annual budget to American systems, with the bulk directed to national or European programs. This reflects a strategic choice to insulate procurement from US volatility.
Britain Reconsiders EU Membership
In Britain, Trump's tariff threats have reignited the debate over EU membership. The Rejoin EU Party has launched a new campaign, arguing that the tariffs demonstrate the folly of Brexit and the need for European solidarity.
Supporters point to the EU's collective bargaining power. According to one widely shared post, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand have applied to join the EU's SAFE defense initiative, while Canada has already joined. The EU now conducts more global trade than the United States.
The sentiment in replies to the campaign is mixed. Some argue that rejoining would assist growth and prosperity between the UK and EU. Others remain skeptical, with one commenter noting that rejoining would cost the UK over one billion pounds net per month.
A Shifting Global Order
Some analysts see broader shifts at play. There are suggestions that the EU may increasingly pivot toward China amid escalating transatlantic tensions, with Trump's aggressive policies accelerating what some call a realignment of global power.
This comes as Europe rallies behind Ukraine, committing 216 billion euros in support. European capitals have raised defense spending by 50 percent in nominal terms since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and committed to go as high as 5 percent of GDP in coming years.
The EU has also shown its willingness to act independently on foreign policy, banning Iranian diplomats and preparing new sanctions over protest crackdowns.
Europe's Response Options
According to Fortune, EU member states are discussing imposing retaliatory levies on 93 billion dollars worth of US goods. EU ambassadors met in Brussels to devise a joint response, with options including using the anti-coercion instrument.
The Lowy Institute describes this as "a pivotal moment for European strategic autonomy, courtesy of Trump." The argument is that since Trump's tariffs target weakness, Europe must respond with economic strength: faster productivity growth, cheaper energy, a genuine continental market, and tech leadership.
Analysts at the Stimson Center argue that Greenland should be a wake-up call for Europe. The continent's continued dependence on US military support, combined with Washington's unpredictability, makes the case for genuine strategic autonomy more urgent than ever.
Whether Europe can translate this moment of crisis into lasting institutional change remains the central question. As Russian television commentators laugh at European predicaments, the pressure is on Brussels to prove them wrong.
January 21, 2026