The point wouldnt be to start another armaments race but to be able to be a credible force on its own and to deter an increasingly erratic United States.

I actually think the reason that there are less resistance now, is that the great majority of people (including European politicians) think the US is bluffing, since they have fucked up so much already. I am pretty certain the shock if the U.S. attacks with Nuclear weapons will HAVE to force many European countries into strong reactions.