Trump’s National Security Strategy accuses Europe of civilisational decline, censorship, and failing on immigration, drawing swift condemnation from European leaders.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy delivers a scathing critique of Europe, accusing it of facing “civilizational erasure.”
The document, published early Friday, lambasts the continent as over-regulated, censorious, and lacking in “self-confidence” due to its immigration policies.
It claims European institutions “undermine political liberty and sovereignty” and criticises “censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition.”
“Should present trends continue, the continent will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less,” the strategy states.
It further argues that a European desire for peace is not translated into policy due to governments’ “subversion of democratic processes.”
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul swiftly responded that the country does not need “outside advice.”
France’s Valerie Hayer, head of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament, called the document “unacceptable and dangerous” on social media platform X.
Former US State Department advisor Evan Feigenbaum noted the Europe section is “by far the most striking” part of the strategy.
He said it “feels inherently more confrontational” and pits the US as “decisively opposed to the whole European project.”
The strategy aligns with rhetoric from US Vice President JD Vance, who previously criticised freedom of expression in Europe.
Analyst Kristine Berzina said the document signals the Trump administration “wants to see an entirely different Europe.”
She described its questioning of European governments’ legitimacy as “significant political attacks” on Washington’s allies.
The strategy highlights the Trump administration’s affinity for policies like those of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
It does not name specific European political parties but clearly advocates for a shift in the continent’s direction.
