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No. 038 Β· Article

Should Europe Issue Joint Defence Bonds? The Debate That Could Reshape the EU.

Franco-German disagreement on shared debt is holding back a European rearmament that both say is essential.

€200B Proposed bond volume
€70B/year EU defence spending gap vs. NATO target
14 Member states supporting joint bonds
8 Member states opposing

The precedent problem

Key Takeaways
  • Macron proposed €200B in joint EU defence bonds; 14 member states support the idea
  • Germany and the Netherlands lead opposition, fearing permanent debt mutualisation
  • The EU's annual defence spending gap vs. NATO's 2% target is roughly €70B
  • The debate echoes the Eurobond controversy but with a security argument that may prove more persuasive
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