As the world grapples with the turbulence of the 21st century, the relationship between the United States and its European allies has become increasingly strained under the leadership of President Donald Trump. This is a concerning development, as the lessons of history have taught European nations the value of multilateral cooperation and the dangers of unbridled nationalism.
When Angela Merkel, then the Chancellor of Germany, warned in 2018 of the fragility of peace and the need to learn from the past, her words now seem prophetic. With Vladimir Putin’s territorial aggression in Eastern Europe and Trump’s threat to annex Greenland, it is clear that the current administration in Washington has little regard for the traditional alliances that have underpinned transatlantic stability.
Merkel’s attempts to engage with Trump and preserve the shared values that have long defined the relationship between the US and Europe have largely been in vain. The president’s capricious behaviour and instinctive affinity for despots have made it increasingly difficult for democratic leaders to restrain his “vandalism” and prevent the betrayal of Europe’s vital military alliance.
As Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK’s opposition, has discovered, even appeals to reason and national interest are met with unhinged social media rants from the White House. Trump’s pursuit of his own ego and desire to expand US territory at all costs have little regard for the rules-based international order that has maintained global stability since the end of the Second World War.
The consequences of this shift in American foreign policy could be dire. The spectre of lawlessness and resource domination could provoke conflicts and undermine economic cooperation, with devastating implications for Europe and the world. As Merkel warned, the lessons of history must not be forgotten, lest the continent sleepwalk into a new era of turmoil.
European leaders must now confront the stark reality that the United States under Trump is no longer a reliable partner. While they may be tempted to engage in sycophancy and flattery in the hope of preserving the transatlantic alliance, the truth is that the current president holds the values of European democracies in contempt. As Behr argues, the only path forward may be regime change in Washington, as the American people are called upon to uphold the principles that have long defined their nation’s relationship with its allies.
