Initial Reactions ⁣and Calls for Restraint

The recent⁣ US military action targeting Caracas has elicited a ⁣surprisingly muted response from European leaders. Most heads of state, including representatives from key european Union institutions,‍ have issued statements expressing concern ⁢and calling for restraint, emphasizing the importance ⁣of⁢ upholding international law. ⁣These responses largely consisted of monitoring the situation​ closely, a pattern ​noted by observers as indicative of a broader dynamic in US-EU ⁤relations.

For example, on January 3, 2026, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stated she was “closely following developments in Caracas” and reiterated the EU’s commitment to “a peaceful resolution based‍ on international law,” according to a European parliament press release.Similar statements were issued by the leaders of France, Germany, and Italy.

“The Owned Continent”: Assessing US-EU Dependence

This cautious approach ⁤is the subject of scrutiny in a newly ‍released book,”The Owned Continent,” by a correspondent specializing in ‍EU affairs. The book details the ancient and ongoing economic and political dependence of Europe on the United States, and how this dynamic has been leveraged ⁢- notably during the presidency of Donald Trump. The author argues that this dependence substantially constrains Europe’s ability to act independently on the global stage.

The book highlights several key areas of dependence. Firstly, the US continues⁤ to be a major provider of security for many european‌ nations through NATO. According to ‍ NATO’s 2023 Defence Spending Report, the united States accounted for‍ approximately 68% of total NATO defence expenditure. ​Secondly, the US dollar remains the dominant reserve currency, and US financial markets exert considerable influence over European economies. the ‍book points to the reliance of European nations on US technology and, critically, energy supplies, even with recent ​diversification efforts.

The author details ⁤how Donald Trump, during his presidency, actively exploited this dependence through⁢ trade wars, threats to withdraw from NATO, and pressure on European nations to increase their ‍defence spending. These actions, the book argues, demonstrated⁣ a willingness to use US leverage to ‌achieve strategic goals, often at the expense of European interests. ⁢For instance, Trump‍ repeatedly criticized European allies for not meeting the NATO target of spending 2% of GDP on defense, and ⁢imposed tariffs ​on steel and ​aluminum imports​ from the EU in 2018, as ⁤reported ⁣by the New York Times.

A ⁤path⁢ Towards European ‍Autonomy

Despite outlining the challenges, “The Owned continent” doesn’t present a pessimistic outlook. The author ⁢proposes a multi-faceted strategy for Europe⁤ to reduce its dependence on the US and assert⁣ greater strategic autonomy. This includes strengthening the EU’s⁣ internal ‌market, investing in its own ⁣defense capabilities, and developing‌ alternative financial and technological infrastructure.

Specifically,⁣ the⁣ book‍ advocates‍ for increased investment in European defense industries, aiming to reduce reliance ‍on US military equipment. ​ The European Defence Fund,established in 2017,is cited as a positive step,but the author⁢ argues​ that funding levels need to‍ be significantly increased. The fund aims to support collaborative defense research ‍and​ development projects,with a budget of €8 billion for the period 2021-2027,as detailed on the European Commission’s website.

Furthermore, the book calls for the development of a stronger European financial⁤ system, including promoting the use of‍ the⁤ euro⁢ as an‌ international reserve currency and reducing‍ reliance on US-dominated payment systems. The author also emphasizes the importance of investing in European ⁤technological innovation, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, ⁤to reduce⁤ dependence on US ‍tech giants. The EU’s Digital Decade ⁣policy, launched in 2020, which aims to achieve “digital sovereignty” by 2030, is ‌presented as a relevant ⁤initiative, as‌ outlined in ‌a European Commission policy document.