Harvard professor of international studies, Stephen Walt, asserts that America has now become an enemy of Europe. In an article published in Foreign Policy, he argues that Donald Trump’s administration has reshaped transatlantic alliances. Walt had previously warned that a second Trump term could erode the goodwill Washington once enjoyed among the world’s major democracies. Instead of being seen as a positive force in global affairs, the U.S. might now be viewed as an actively malevolent power.
Walt’s piece was written before Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a provocative speech at the Munich Security Conference, before Trump placed blame on Ukraine for initiating the war with Russia, and before U.S. officials seemingly preemptively offered Russia nearly everything it wanted before negotiations on Ukraine had even begun.
Gideon Rachman of The Financial Times captured European observers’ sentiment concisely, stating: “Trump’s political ambitions for Europe mean that America has now also become an enemy.”
But is this assertion true? Skeptics might recall past divisions among NATO allies—from the 1956 Suez Crisis to the Vietnam War in the 1960s, European missile disputes in the 1980s, and the 2003 Iraq War, all of which strained U.S.-Europe relations. The U.S. has often acted unilaterally, even when such actions negatively impacted its allies—like Nixon abandoning the gold standard in 1971 or Biden’s protectionist Inflation Reduction Act, which forced European companies to halt certain high-tech exports to China.
However, few Europeans or Canadians previously believed that the U.S. was deliberately trying to harm them. Instead, they trusted Washington’s commitment to their security, recognizing that America’s own prosperity was intertwined with theirs. This understanding made it easier for the U.S. to secure their support when necessary.
A Shift in Perception
Today, however, the situation is markedly different. For the first time since 1949, many Europeans—especially those who attended last week’s Munich Security Conference—have legitimate reasons to believe that the U.S. president does not care about NATO, disdains European leaders, and is actively hostile toward most European nations. Instead of viewing Europe as America’s most important partner, Trump appears to have pivoted toward seeing Russia, under Vladimir Putin, as a more viable long-term ally.
Speculation about Trump’s affinity for Putin has circulated for years, and now these inclinations seem to be driving American foreign policy.
Walt reflects on this by asking, “Is Trump simply executing what realists like me have suggested?” He questions whether extending NATO’s expansion was ever a sound idea, whether prolonging Ukraine’s war was just prolonging suffering without strategic gain, and whether strategically driving a wedge between Russia and China would have been a wiser move. He even wonders if good relations with Russia would ensure Europe’s long-term security and whether forcing European nations to take responsibility for their own defense would ultimately strengthen them.
From this perspective, Trump isn’t an enemy of Europe—he’s simply delivering some harsh truths to a complacent continent while following a pragmatic geopolitical strategy.
Yet, Walt disagrees. He argues that Trump, Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and others in the administration are not merely advocating for shared burdens or a rational realignment of transatlantic duties. Instead, their goal appears to be a fundamental overhaul of America’s relationship with its traditional allies, reshaping global order into something resembling Trump’s “Make America Great Again” doctrine.
Trump’s Hostility Toward Europe
Trump’s stance is explicitly hostile to the existing European order in several ways:
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Economic Warfare Against AlliesTrump has repeatedly threatened massive tariffs on close allies, either to coerce concessions on unrelated issues or simply because he perceives their trade practices as unfair. Trade disputes are not new, and past U.S. presidents have played hardball. However, Trump’s erratic and heavy-handed use of “national security” justifications for protectionist measures deviates from past practices. Unlike his predecessors, Trump has demonstrated little regard for upholding international agreements once signed.
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Territorial Ambitions and Contempt for SovereigntyTrump openly embraces the notion that great powers should simply take what they desire. He has expressed admiration for Russia’s land grabs and has even entertained ideas about annexing territories such as Greenland or reoccupying the Panama Canal Zone. He has suggested Canada should relinquish its independence and join the U.S. as the 51st state. Alarmingly, he has reportedly fantasized about seizing Gaza, expelling its population, and turning it into a tourist resort.
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Support for European Far-Right MovementsTrump, Elon Musk, Vance, and other MAGA figures are actively supporting illiberal forces in Europe. They are attempting to reshape the continent’s political landscape—not through military force, but through ideological influence.
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- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán remains a welcomed guest at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
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- Vance met Alice Weidel, co-chair of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, rather than Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his Munich visit.
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- Musk has been amplifying conspiracy theories, endorsing far-right European extremists, and advocating for nationalist agendas.
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While differences exist among these far-right factions, they generally share hostility toward immigration, skepticism of the European Union, disdain for elites, and a desire to impose traditionalist, religious-based social values. These movements push for citizenship to be based on ethnic lineage rather than civic principles or birthplace, mirroring fascist ideologies of the past.
Europe’s Inevitable Response
Rachman’s assessment in The Financial Times that “America has now become an enemy of Europe” holds merit—at least in part. Trump and his allies are directly aiding European ultranationalists, who, in turn, share their ideological worldview. Their vision for Europe is not one of democratic governance, social welfare, openness, or the rule of law, but one of division and authoritarianism.
Trump’s strategic thinking suggests he perceives Europe as weak and fractured, an easy target for Washington’s divide-and-conquer tactics. Yet, his overt bullying may backfire, fostering European unity against American influence—much like what is now happening in Canada.
Historically, Europe’s drive toward economic integration in the mid-20th century stemmed from fears of an American withdrawal. Leaders sought to unify their economies to build sufficient strength to withstand Soviet pressures. The U.S. ultimately stayed and supported European integration. However, history teaches that if Europe must proceed without U.S. backing, it has the capacity to do so.
If America is now truly an adversary, European leaders must stop seeking ways to appease Washington and start focusing on their own survival. Potential steps include:
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- Expanding trade partnerships with China and other BRICS nations.
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- Developing alternatives to the U.S.-controlled SWIFT financial system.
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- Increasing EU-China research collaborations.
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- Reducing reliance on American weapons by revamping Europe’s defense industry.
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- Sending high-level EU representatives to BRICS summits.
Although these measures could be costly for Europe and detrimental to the U.S., they may become inevitable. Walt concludes by stating that while he once believed in redefining transatlantic relations through friendly cooperation, Trump’s radical diplomacy may push 450 million Europeans into active opposition against America. If that happens, the blame lies squarely on the current administration.
