US House passes bill to bolster Europe’s defence, in apparent rebuke to Trump’s foreign policy strategy

The US House has approved a sweeping defence bill that bolsters Europe’s security, in what appears to be sharp rebuke to Donald Trump’s mounting threats to downgrade Washington’s ties to traditional allies and Nato.

The bipartisan vote came just days after the publication of a White House national security strategy that said Europe faced “civilisational erasure” and made explicit Washington’s support for Europe’s nationalist far-right parties – rattling EU leaders and opening up a seismic shift in transatlantic relations.

By contrast, the House’s $900bn Pentagon is notable for its pro-Europe orientation and its clampdown on Trump’s authority to reduce troop numbers, move equipment or downgrade Nato-linked missions.

The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – which now advances to the Senate – carries a robust $8bn more than the funding Trump requested in May.

It leans hard into European defence, barring troop levels on the continent from falling below 76,000 for more than 45 days and blocking the removal of major equipment.

“President Trump and congressional Republicans are restoring American strength, defending our homeland, standing with our allies, and ensuring the United States remains the most powerful and capable military force the world has ever known,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said ahead of the vote.

In the national security strategy published last week, Trump lambasted Europe as an over-regulated, censorious continent lacking in “self-confidence” and facing “civilisational erasure” due to immigration.

The document openly supported far-right European parties, questioned the continent’s commitment to peace and indicated that its security is no longer a top US priority.

Trump’s administration accuses European nations of taking advantage of American generosity and of failing to take responsibility for their own destiny. The strategy document was welcomed at the weekend by the Kremlin, which said it “corresponds in many ways to our vision”

This week the president of the European Council of national leaders, António Costa, warned Trump’s administration against interfering in Europe’s affairs.

“Allies do not threaten to interfere in the domestic political choices of their allies,” the former Portuguese prime minister said. “The US cannot replace Europe in what its vision is of free expression … Europe must be sovereign.”

But the passing of the NDAA indicates the House is explicitly moving in the opposite direction – deepening US resources for the Baltic states and hardening Nato’s northeastern flank, in a move that amounts to one of the strongest congressional assertions of Europe’s strategic importance in years.

With support from the administration wavering, the bill also doubles down on Ukraine – setting aside $400m in security assistance to sustain a baseline of support even if emergency funding stalls.

Trump has vacillated between appearing supportive and dismissive of Ukraine since taking office at the beginning of this year, but his recent peace drive on terms that seem beneficial to Russia has worried allies.

The NDAA also adds to traditional security priorities. It places fresh limits on any reduction of the 28,500 US troops in South Korea, a signal to Seoul amid uncertainty over America’s long-term military commitment in east Asia.

The NDAA authorises Pentagon programs, but does not fund them. Congress must separately pass funding in a spending bill for the fiscal year ending in September 2026.

In addition to the typical NDAA provisions on defence acquisitions and competition with rivals like China and Russia, this year’s bill focuses on cutting programs reviled by Trump, such as diversity, equity and inclusion training.

The White House has backed the 3,086-page text, and Trump has said he will sign the NDAA into law once it reaches his desk.

With Agence France-Presse and Reuters