New security strategy

In its new security strategy, the US sharply criticizes Europe and announces interference in EU politics in favor of right-wing parties. The US government now wants to cultivate"resistance" in Europe.

The US has presented its long-awaited new national security strategy. In it, they lament a loss of democracy and freedom of expression in Europe and call for a"course correction".

Europe faces major problems, according to the document released by the White House. These include, among other things,"censorship of free speech and the suppression of political opposition, plummeting birth rates, and the loss of national identities and self-confidence." The US government also identifies immigration policy as a European problem. The European Union and its"activities" are described as a fundamental problem for the continent.

These accusations follow a pattern in which the US government under President Donald Trump attacked the EU, accusing liberal democracies in Europe of allegedly restricting freedom of expression. Critics, in turn, accuse the US government itself of an increasingly authoritarian and illiberal course.

"Influence of patriotic parties" as "reason for optimism"

"We want Europe to remain European," the document states. The character and history of individual European states must be preserved, and their self-confidence strengthened. If current trends continue, Europe will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less.

Therefore, it is"anything but clear" whether Europe can remain a reliable ally. The US reportedly wants to"cultivate resistance to Europe's current course within European nations." "Our goal should be to help Europe correct its current course," the statement continues.

The US government points to its cooperation with right-wing parties in Europe, explains ARD correspondent Carsten Kühntopp in Washington. The growing influence of"patriotic European parties" gives "cause for great optimism," the document states.

The Trump administration and his MAGA movement have long supported far-right parties and figures in Europe. At the beginning of the year, for example, US Vice President JD Vance called on German parties to cooperate with the AfD. Then-Trump special advisor Elon Musk campaigned for the AfD.

Establishing"strategic stability" with Russia

The document contains no critical remarks about Russia. It states that"strategic stability" must be established with Russia. Therefore, it is in Washington's interest to end the war in Ukraine. Furthermore, an end to hostilities is necessary"to stabilize European economies and prevent an unintended escalation or expansion of the war."

In the document, the Trump administration accuses European politicians of having"unrealistic expectations" and a politically obstructive stance in the struggle for peace with Moscow. A large majority of Europeans desire peace, but this desire is hardly reflected in policy. A passage in NATO circles caused concern, stating that fundamental US policy for Europe should aim to"end the impression—and the reality—of an ever-expanding NATO."

European states increasingly fear Trump's disinterest in Ukraine, his ideological proximity to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, and his economic interests in cooperating with Russia.

Recent reports surfaced about a conference call involving several top Western politicians, during which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) allegedly expressed distrust of the US negotiators. French President Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb are said to have made similar remarks during the call.

Increased military presence in Latin America

The Trump administration also announced plans to reduce US military engagement worldwide, including in Europe. However, the US presence in Latin America is to be increased in order to restore US dominance in the region.

The relationship with China is to be rebalanced. The document focuses primarily on economic competition with the People's Republic. It describes the conflict in the Middle East as a"troublesome dynamic" and demands that the US abandon its "misguided experiment" of "lecturing" the monarchies of the Persian Gulf, in particular, about their traditions and forms of government.

The new security strategy represents a drastic break with the course taken by President Joe Biden's administration, which confronted Russia. Trump now claims that previous strategies failed to consider core US national interests and placed the burden of defending other countries on the shoulders of the American people.

Wadephul rejects US advice

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) commented on the new US strategy, saying that Germany does not need external advice on matters of free speech or"the organization of our free societies." He referred to the separation of powers and freedom of the press. Wadephul announced that he would now"intensively evaluate" the new US security strategy.

Metin Hakverdi (SPD), the German government's transatlantic coordinator, also rejected any interference. He told the German Press Agency (dpa) that they would observe whether the new security strategy would actually determine the actions of the US government. Nevertheless, he added, the chapter on Europe"sheds an interesting light on the Trump administration's view of Europe and Germany."

The spokeswoman for the EU Commission, Paula Pinho, also firmly rejected the US accusations.