Paul McCarthy from the Heritage Foundation advises Europe to buy American gas and increase defense spending, suggesting a transactional relationship with Trump.
Paul McCarthy, from the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, recently spoke in Prague about the foreign policy expectations of former President Donald Trump towards Europe. He described Trump not as an ideologue, but a businessman who can forge friendly relationships even with those he previously criticized. McCarthy emphasized that Trump’s primary interest is in having European nations invest more in their own defense and spend on American military equipment such as F-35 fighter jets.
He urged European countries to consider increasing their purchases of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a strategic move to reduce reliance on other energy sources. McCarthy noted that while the U.S. aims to bolster its role in Europe until the continent can adequately defend itself, there is a concern that the strong U.S. presence may diminish over time, necessitating new frameworks beyond the NATO alliance established post-World War II.
The discussion also touched on the complex dynamics of U.S.-European relations, where Trump's historically critical stance towards Europe might resurface, challenging European nations to rethink their dependency on American defense and find alternative security solutions. McCarthy's insights reveal the shifting geopolitical landscape and the pressures on Europe to adapt to emerging global challenges while maintaining a supportive partnership with the U.S.
