Yes,
I’ve only very recently started to learn about this.
Although it’s a good thing Europe builds up it military capabilities and is able to defend itself without the US, should relationships between the US and European nations completely break down then American military installations dotted around Europe could be lost to the US. Indeed, if Europe can defend itself, what use the US? (I don’t really know to what extent). It’s been a workable arrangement up until now. It seems like Trump’s US must be looking to isolate itself from the rest of the world. But without the military bases in Europe, Australia and the spying capabilities etc., how good would they be at defending themselves from China snd Russia? For over a week 3 Chinese warships have been circumnavigating Australia just outside Australian waters. At one point they were only 150 nautical miles off Sydney, and China gave very little notice they’d be there A Virgin aeroplane flying across the Tasman Sea pivked up the ‘notice’ given by China from the actual ships, I think. Noticr was not given the usual channels and in the usual time frame. China pretty much announced ‘we are here and we will be doing live fire exercises.’ China is flexing. It’s rumbling about Taiwan is getting louder.
Then of course, there’s more mundane things America relies on Europe for - things like cars and iPhone parts. Can America manufacture those things or will they find themselves paying a huge premium for them?
whats the end game?