European leaders have long appeased President Trump with billions in concessions, but ahead of the Ankara summit it is clear that this appeasement policy has failed. The shift signals a potential reorientation of transatlantic relations, affecting defense spending, trade policy, and the EU's push for strategic autonomy. US President Donald Trump, European governments and EU institutions, NATO officials preparing for the Ankara summit, and defense ministries such as Belgium's. Europe is likely to pursue more independent defense initiatives, seek alternative partnerships (e.g., with Canada), and strengthen internal ammunition production, while Trump may adjust his rhetoric ahead of the summit. The Handelsblatt commentary notes that European governments have long used financial concessions to pacify the US president, but the approaching NATO summit in Ankara has revealed the limits of that strategy. It argues that the EU is now learning to exploit Trump's perceived shortcomings to advance its own strategic autonomy. The piece does not predict outcomes, but highlights a shift from appeasement to a more assertive European posture. Likely next events: EU defense ministers to discuss increased spending ahead of NATO summit Trump may issue new tariff threats on EU goods Belgium to reinforce its stance on US defense commitments Sectors affected: Defense Aerospace Automotive (trade) Energy (energy security) Regulatory implications: Potential EU defense procurement reforms Review of NATO burden-sharing agreements Possible US‑EU trade policy adjustments Historical parallels: 1970s NATO burden-sharing debates 2003 Iraq war transatlantic split 2018‑2020 US‑Europe trade tensions
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