Tensions are rising between the United States and the European Union as U.S. officials object to Europe’s push to buy more weapons from local manufacturers instead of relying on American defense companies. The EU’s move is part of a broader initiative to strengthen its own defense industry and reduce dependency on the U.S., but Washington sees this shift as a potential threat to transatlantic defense cooperation.

At the center of the dispute is the EU’s “ReArm Europe” proposal, which includes borrowing €150 billion to upgrade the continent’s military capabilities. A key element of the plan is to prioritize European defense companies when awarding contracts. The move is seen by EU leaders as a step toward long-term security independence, especially in the face of uncertainties surrounding future U.S. support for NATO.

In a pointed response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that excluding American firms from European defense contracts could damage the broader relationship. His comments to Baltic foreign ministers suggested that while the U.S. supports increased European defense spending, it expects to remain a key supplier.

The roots of Europe’s autonomy drive trace back to the Trump administration, when the U.S. signaled that NATO allies needed to boost their own defense investments. European leaders took that message seriously, but they are now facing pushback as they try to make that shift by investing locally.

Despite the ambition, Europe still has major gaps in its defense capabilities—particularly in areas like airborne surveillance, missile defense, and electronic warfare. EU leaders are proposing major investments to close these gaps, including mandatory ammunition stockpiles across the bloc.

Still, some analysts warn that excluding the U.S. could undermine both the strength of NATO and the speed at which Europe can modernize. U.S. defense companies continue to offer advanced technology and resources that European firms can’t always match.

As the EU tries to strike a balance between independence and cooperation, the conversation around defense procurement is becoming a litmus test for broader transatlantic relations. Whether Europe will stand firm on its “buy local” stance or allow room for U.S. companies remains a question with major geopolitical consequences.