The Trump Administration blames the EU and migration for what it calls a total and imminent cultural disintegration in Europe. This continent undermines democracy, blocks peace in Ukraine, and faces a „civilization erasure” due to high migration and declining birth rates, as stated in the new US national security strategy that calls for „cultivating resilience” in Europe.
The document released by the White House on Friday blames EU officials, among others, for thwarting US efforts to end the war in Ukraine, accusing governments in this area of ignoring a „large European majority” that desires peace.
A "rapid cessation of hostilities" is essential "for the stabilization of European economies, preventing unintended escalation or extension of the war, and restoring strategic stability with Russia," as stated in the new security strategy.
These mentions come as European leaders have privately warned that Washington could "betray" Ukraine during peace negotiations with Moscow.
Furthermore, the ideological gap between Washington and its traditional allies is highlighted, and the European continent is outlined in stark terms. According to the new strategy, in Europe, "economic decline is overshadowed by the very real and harsh prospect of civilization erasure."
Europe Accused of Censorship
"Among the broader issues facing Europe are the activities of the European Union and other transnational bodies that undermine political freedom and sovereignty, migration policies that transform the continent and create conflicts, censorship of freedom of expression and suppression of political opposition, a drastic decline in birth rates, and the loss of national identities and self-confidence," the 33-page document states.
In a direct challenge to the EU, it is stated that America should "cultivate resistance to Europe's current trajectory within European nations."
The increasing political influence of far-right Eurosceptic parties is also praised, whose rise to power in EU capitals could threaten the future of the bloc.
"American diplomacy should continue to support authentic democracy, freedom of expression, and the unapologetic honoring of the character and individual histories of European nations," the strategy states.
"America encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this resurgence of spirit, and the growing influence of European patriotic parties indeed offers great reasons for optimism," the document mentions.
In the Footsteps of JD Vance
The strategy echoes the famous speech given by American Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Forum in February, which astonished European allies with its firm, contradictory tone and the assertion that Europe faces a greater threat from its own democratic failures than from Russian aggression.
It is worth noting that JD Vance criticized Romania at that time for canceling elections based on "shaky suspicions" and "enormous pressure."
The new national security strategy provides a clear ideological alignment between President Donald Trump's MAGA populist movement and nationalist parties in Europe, as noted by Politico.
This narrative is likely to resonate deeply among the majority of far-right parties in Europe, whose electoral platforms are primarily based on criticisms of the EU, demands for reduced migration from majority-Muslim nations and outside Europe, and a patriotic initiative to reverse the perceived declines of their countries.
The Trump Administration acknowledges that "Europe remains strategically and culturally vital to the United States," but Washington's views on the continent align with previous negative public statements by the administration.
America Abandoning the Role of Atlas
The strategy also highlights the radical reorientation of US foreign policy under Donald Trump's leadership, elevating American dominance over the Western Hemisphere to the primary objective, in an updated version of the Monroe Doctrine, as reported by Financial Times.
"The days when the United States supported the entire world order like Atlas are over," the document states.
According to the new strategy, the United States will pursue a policy of "burden-sharing," aiming to make Europe "stand on its own feet and function as a group of aligned sovereign nations, including by taking primary responsibility for its own defense."
The document calls for a realignment of US military presence globally to address urgent threats in the northern hemisphere and away from theaters of operations whose relative importance to US national security has decreased in recent decades or years.
The release of the national security strategy will be followed next year by a review of US defense posture, which will shift American military resources to address new foreign policy priorities.