The week when the US not only abandoned Europe, but turned against it

In fact, the 33-page document, whose introduction is signed by President Trump himself, goes even a big step beyond that. It includes not only the US’s withdrawal from the transatlantic relationship that has been the basis of security in modern Europe; it not only weakens American commitments to NATO to come to the continent’s aid in the event of war.

The new policy document actually questions the political legitimacy of the European governments and of the European Union as an organization, and states that the US under Trump will choose to openly encourage right-wing elements – from the “soft” populist right to the “hard” extreme right – a new-old element in European politics.

In order to verify a killing, President Trump was interviewed by various media in recent days, and expressed unqualified support for the conclusions. “Europe is going in a very bad direction,” he said at the White House. He then added in an interview with “Politico”: “Europe doesn’t know what to do. They want to be politically correct and that makes them weak.” Regarding the immigration policy, Trump said that “If things continue as they are, Europe will no longer be… In my opinion, many of the countries in Europe will no longer be viable. Their immigration policy is a disaster.”

The rhetoric of the new right in Europe

It is no coincidence that these things echo the rhetoric of the new right in Europe. These are also the wordings that appear in the new American document. Not only does “Europe have to take the main responsibility for its security” as was said in the past, but an attack on the existing political system, and on the entire European order, in the name of supporting the new right on the continent. “Activity in the European Union threatens political freedom and sovereignty… Immigration policy is fundamentally changing the continent, censorship of freedom of expression and suppression of political opposition, along with the loss of national identity,” the document reads.

The American view not only states that Europe “faces the grave threat of erasing its civilization” and adopts the “replacement theory”, according to which Brussels aims to change the face of the continent with the help of Muslim immigration, but also suggests what the United States – until recently Europe’s greatest ally – should do. There’s really nothing to talk about with you, we support the opposition that is to your right.

Especially in Germany, a country shaped by enormous American influence after it was re-established in 1949, with de-Nazification laws that Trump himself now calls “censorship” and “restriction of free speech”, the publication of the official policy caused a great stir. The representatives of “Alternative for Germany”, a party that has been operating for the past few years until it is under the supervision of the authorities on suspicion of undermining the foundations of democracy, have been received with open arms in Washington in recent months.

Roderick Kieswater, a foreign relations expert and relatively senior in the ruling party, said after the publication of the document that the White House is now running an “anti-German policy”. The former British defense minister said: “Months of flattery to Trump did not help protect Europe, but only weakened it… the world order has collapsed.”

A threat to political stability on the continent

Most governments in Europe already understand that the immigration problem is not only a social or economic challenge, but a threat to political stability in the entire continent. They are now trying to change the image. German Chancellor Friedrich March declared the “problem in the urban landscape” created by immigration and his measures reduced the entry rates of illegal immigrants.

The British Prime Minister is reforming the field, and is now initiating a change in the interpretation of human rights so that it is easier to deport illegal immigrants. Denmark, once the right-wing marker of preventing the entry of illegal immigrants, has become a model for adoption, even in the European Commission. But it takes time to tilt the ship, and it is electorally expensive time.

Not all the European right-wing opposition to immigration is in the same camp. But also the more extreme elements such as the “Alternative to Germany” or the “Freedom Party” in Austria and others are now receiving significant reinforcement from the US, the security support and the European guarantee until recently. What unites almost all the parties in this bloc, almost unnaturally, is opposition to the war in Ukraine and a desire for reconciliation with Russia.

There is a significant difference between a right-wing party like the “National Union” in France and the far-right “Alternative to Germany”. One is ready to rule, the other is still on the sidelines. One supports Israel, the other opposes it. But both received or are receiving financial support from Russia. And now also ideological support from the White House. It’s no wonder that the Kremlin welcomed the document, because it “coincides to a large extent with our vision of Europe.”

The weak response from the European Union

The official reaction of the union and its captains is weak. He does not prove himself in a crisis. Every country fights for its own interests. Until it strengthens militarily, until it finds the strength to stand on its own two feet in a world where military power and speed of decisions become the terms of the game, the Union only hopes that the US will not distance itself too far from it in practice, or that the circumstances will simply not put American support to the test. It is ready to swallow a lot of insults.

German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz’s reaction to the document showed that he continues to adhere to the ineffective policy of asking for help, from a position of weakness. “In my discussions with the Americans, I say, ‘America first’ is perfectly fine, but ‘America alone’ cannot be in your interest. You need partners in the world. And one of those partners can be Europe. If you can’t get along with Europe, then at least make Germany your partner.” It’s hard to miss the sloppiness.

Especially after this week, the writing regarding the future of transatlantic relations is not only on the wall, but can be heard in prime time in the voice of the US president: the US has not only abandoned Europe, it is now fighting against it.