France and Germany have never agreed on how far the European Union should go in developing its defense industries and to what extent it should keep the market open to foreign partners. Now that Europe's defense needs are increasing more than ever, this dispute has reached its peak.
Security Challenges and the Need to Strengthen European Defense
With Washington's gradual withdrawal from Europe, increasing Russian pressure on Eastern Europe, and the expansion of China's geopolitical ambitions, the European Union has rarely faced such a sensitive situation for strengthening its defense capabilities. However, France and Germany still disagree on how to achieve this. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second time in January 2025, European defense spending has significantly increased.
Read more: Marine Le Pen prioritizes French citizens and addresses the housing crisis and cost of living
The fifth year of Russia's military attack on Ukraine, along with Washington's decision to withdraw its forces from Europe, has intensified concerns in the capitals of EU member states about the necessity of increasing defense readiness (both to support Kyiv and to strengthen deterrence).
Strategic Disputes Between the Two Countries
Although more budget has been allocated for European defense, there is still no common vision at the EU level on how to create this capability. Jean-Marc Germain, a French member of the European Parliament, stated: 'This is really a disagreement within the pro-European camp over the best strategy to create a strong industry in Europe, especially in the defense sector.'
After Friedrich Merz took office in Germany, it initially seemed that Paris and Berlin had come closer together on how to address their common security challenges. However, despite the initial commitment to prioritize European producers in government purchases, deep-rooted strategic disagreements quickly became apparent again.
Berlin has emphasized the need for close cooperation with the U.S. defense industry, stating that some defense systems are still not available to this country. Meanwhile, France is continuously striving to establish a defense power independent of superpowers.
Currently, the European Union is seeking to balance immediate needs with the sustainable development of domestic defense industries. However, the disputes between France and Germany have clearly hindered progress in this area and raised concerns about the future of military cooperation in Europe.
Read more: Marine Le Pen emphasized the priority of French citizens and the housing crisis · The possibility of a political coup in Berlin and its impact on the political landscape of Germany
