US Deputy Defense Secretary Assesses European Allies’ Defense Commitment

US Deputy Defense Secretary Elbridge Colby conducted an assessment of European allies’ commitment to defending their continent during a meeting held Thursday at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a media briefing, Colby stated: “We approach this, of course, in the spirit you described — one of consultation and partnership,” according to AFP.

He characterized the discussion as “a pragmatic conversation about how to move forward together in a world where Europe is, of course, a very wealthy continent and one that can bear — and is bearing — the primary responsibility for its own conventional defense.”

Timeline of US Review and Troop Adjustments

In June, the United States set a six-month timeline to review its military posture in Europe, aiming for the continent to assume “the primary responsibility for its own conventional defense” by the review’s conclusion. The review formally began in late July.

Last May, the United States announced its decision to withdraw between 4,000 and 5,000 troops from Germany, out of approximately 36,000 US service members stationed there.

At the start of June, Washington also signaled its intention to scale back its participation in NATO’s mechanism for tracking the military resources available from its 32 member states when needed.

US Pressure for Fairer Burden Sharing

US calls for more equitable burden sharing between American and European forces in defending Europe are not new, but have gained momentum since Donald Trump’s return to the White House last year.

In June, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking from Brussels, labeled European allies’ refusal to permit US forces to use NATO bases on their territory as “shameful.”

Addressing the issue during Thursday’s meeting, Colby remarked: “Let’s look at some issues — such as access and base usage and flight operations — where there are many positive elements, but other matters need resolution to ensure everything makes sense going forward.”

Under pressure from President Trump, European allies and Canada pledged to allocate at least 5% of their gross domestic product to defense by 2035.

This increase in defense spending coincides with a reduction in the US role across Europe, including through troop withdrawals.