Europe Scrambles for "Strategic Autonomy" as Trump Threatens to Cut Off Gas, Cards, and Cash

Europe Scrambles for "Strategic Autonomy" as Trump Threatens to Cut Off Gas, Cards, and Cash Facing the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, European leaders are urgently moving to reduce the continent's deep dependence on the United States for energy, financial services, and digital technology, fearing these ties could be used as political weapons against them [58901][58867][58480]. The alarm was crystallized by a recent viral warning from a senior EU lawmaker, who stated that a Trump administration could disconnect Europe from the global Visa and Mastercard payment networks, just as it did to Russia [58480]. This threat has accelerated calls for an "Airbus of European payments"—a homegrown financial system to protect the bloc's economic independence [58480]. Simultaneously, Europe's energy security is now seen as a vulnerability. Since cutting off most Russian gas, the EU has become increasingly reliant on American liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports [58867]. Analysts warn a future U.S. president could restrict supplies or raise prices to force European compliance with American foreign policy, a risk highlighted by the Trump administration's past interest in purchasing Greenland [58867][58663]. This push for what officials term "strategic autonomy" extends to the digital realm. European attempts to regulate U.S. tech giants are hampered by the continent's own reliance on their cloud computing, software, and social media platforms [58167][58171]. While the goal is "digital sovereignty," experts question if Europe can build competitive alternatives fast enough [58171]. The collective response marks a significant strategic shift. European policymakers argue the continent must finally convert its economic weight into independent political power by strengthening its own defense capabilities and building alliances beyond Washington [58069]. Some financial experts even suggest a quiet "divorce" is beginning, with European investors reducing holdings of U.S. government bonds to limit exposure to American policy shocks [58095]. The underlying message from European capitals is that the era of automatic American protection is over. The EU is now actively working to shield its economy and borders from external pressure, driven by a stark realization that its core vulnerabilities are held in foreign hands [58053][58069]. Europe's Choice: Change or Face Irreversible Decline Trump's Next Weapon? U.S. Gas Could Pressure Europe Trump Could Cut Off Europe's Cards, Warns EU Lawmaker Europe Must "Make US Feel Cost" of Pressure, Argues Analyst Europe's Digital Dilemma: Reliant on US Tech It Seeks to Curb Europe's Digital Dilemma: Can It Break Free from US Tech Giants? Europe's New Fear: A Broken Map Europe's Trump Test: Time to Use Its Own Power US-EU Trade: Tied Together, Stuck Together Europe Considers Financial "Divorce" from Trump-Led US