The Franco-German engine has traditionally powered the European Union, but there are deep differences on hard power and the military — issues highlighted by the crisis unleashed when Russia invaded Ukraine and now made even more pointed by Donald Trump undermining U.S. security guarantees for the NATO alliance.
France, a nuclear power, has long touted what it calls strategic autonomy — the ability of Europe to act on its own in defense with its own military industrial complex. Germany is keener to maintain security links with the United States.
In additional to disagreements over strategic vision, the two are at odds over a host of granular issues ranging from military aid to Ukraine and air defense to battle tanks and weapons exports.
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