Donald Trump’s return to U.S. leadership has triggered a seismic shift in transatlantic relations, with multiple European nations openly challenging his policies and rhetoric. From defense realignments to trade disputes, here are the key countries leading the pushback:
Belgium As the EU and NATO’s political hub, Belgium is quietly reducing reliance on U.S. leadership. Brussels has prioritized EU-led defense initiatives, wary of Trump’s transactional approach to NATO and his threats to withdraw support for Ukraine. Recent collaborations with France and Germany on joint military strategies signal a shift toward European autonomy.
Germany Germany, a cornerstone of NATO, is bracing for renewed tensions. Berlin rejects Trump’s confrontational trade policies and skepticism toward collective defense. German officials now advocate for a more independent Europe, particularly on climate and security issues.
Sweden Freshly admitted to NATO in 2023, Sweden openly opposes Trump’s suggestion that the alliance’s security guarantees should be conditional on spending. Stockholm is also leading EU efforts to bypass U.S. obstruction on climate agreements.
France France is doubling down on strategic autonomy, with President Macron accelerating EU defense projects to counter Trump’s unpredictability. Paris has clashed with Trump over tariffs and climate policy, while public disapproval of Trump exceeds 80%.
Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte has condemned Trump’s NATO rhetoric as “reckless.” The Netherlands, home to Europe’s largest port, is prioritizing EU trade alliances over U.S. protectionism and aligning its policies with progressive social values.
Spain Spain is strengthening EU-centric defense and trade to minimize exposure to Trump’s tariff threats. Prime Minister Sánchez has emphasized multilateralism, framing Trump’s “America First” doctrine as a threat to global cooperation.
Denmark Tensions between Denmark and Trump date back to his 2019 bid to buy Greenland. In 2025, Copenhagen is bolstering EU defense initiatives and resisting U.S. climate policy rollbacks, with cross-party consensus against Trump’s transactional diplomacy.
Italy While not explicitly named in the sources, Italy’s alignment with EU retaliatory tariffs and defense cooperation suggests a cooling stance. The country’s far-right factions have also grown wary of Trump’s economic threats.
EU Bloc (Collective Action) The EU has approved retaliatory tariffs against Trump’s trade measures, signaling unified resistance. Member states are accelerating plans for a self-sufficient European defense framework to hedge against U.S. disengagement.
Poland Though historically pro-U.S., Poland is increasingly vocal about the risks of Trump’s NATO skepticism. Warsaw supports EU efforts to ensure security guarantees remain unconditional.
Why the Shift?
- NATO Uncertainty: Trump’s transactional view of collective defense has eroded trust.
- Trade Wars: Threats of 10–25% tariffs on EU goods risk billions in losses, uniting Europe against U.S. protectionism.
- Climate Policy: Trump’s rollbacks clash with European green agendas, pushing the EU to lead globally.
Europe’s Strategic Shift: Autonomy Over Alignment
Europe’s recalibration reflects a broader decline in U.S. influence under Trump. While alliances remain intact, the era of automatic alignment is over, replaced by a focus on self-reliance and shared values. As one Danish lawmaker bluntly stated: “Mr. Trump, fuck off.”
