A comprehensive strategic document aimed at reshaping America's global role was released by the United States on Friday, and the European Commission has not yet commented on it. A European diplomat who did not want to be named said: "The tone of the White House strategy report regarding Europe is worrying, even worse than Vance's speech in Munich in February."
The comprehensive strategy document from the White House states that the United States will reestablish its dominance in the Western Hemisphere, strengthen military power in the Indo-Pacific region, and may reassess its relationship with Europe. Regarding the European policy section, the White House report even warns that Europe faces a risk of "civilizational decline" and must change course. One of the arguments is that in the coming decades, some NATO member states are likely to become non-European in nature, and whether they will view NATO in the same way remains to be seen.
Regarding the Ukraine issue, the document states that resolving the Ukraine issue through negotiations and rebuilding strategic stability with Russia is in America's strategic interest. The Trump administration differs from European officials who have unrealistic expectations about the war in Ukraine and claims that many European officials have violated basic democratic principles to suppress domestic opposition. Although "the majority of Europeans desire peace, this desire has not translated into policy, largely because these governments have undermined the democratic process."
Regarding the European content of the latest U.S. National Security Strategy document, the renowned website "Politico" published an article on June 6 by TIM ROSS titled: "Europe Beware, Trump Is About to Interfere in Your Elections!"
The article opens with a warning: The ambitions of the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement to intervene in European politics should make Starmer, Macron, and Mertz fear. Will they fight back? Trump has launched a campaign aimed at bringing European politics into his camp, using all the strength of American diplomacy to support so-called "patriotic" parties, curb immigration, destroy "censorship," and save "civilization" from decline. The question is whether the struggling center-left in Europe has the ability or willingness to stop Trump.
The article points out that the language in the White House document is filled with racial elements, which cannot be ignored, as it includes arguments about declining birth rates and increased immigration. Voters in Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany are no strangers to this, as far-right politicians in these countries have promoted the so-called "great replacement theory," a racist conspiracy theory that falsely claims that elite groups are involved in a plot to dilute the white population and weaken their influence. "We hope Europe remains European."
The White House document warns: "In the long term, within a few decades, certain NATO member states may become countries where non-Europeans form the majority," "which makes the question of whether these European countries will continue to align with the United States remain unresolved."
The article points out that the White House's statements are filled with racial factors, which are hard to ignore, as they include discussions about declining birth rates and increasing immigration. Voters in Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany are no strangers to this, as far-right politicians in these countries have promoted the so-called "great replacement theory," a racist conspiracy theory that falsely claims that elite groups are involved in a plot to dilute the white population and weaken their influence. "We hope Europe remains European."
The White House document warns: "In the long term, within a few decades, certain NATO member states may become countries where non-Europeans form the majority," "which makes the question of whether these European countries will continue to align with the United States remain unresolved."
The article points out that the policy proposals put forward by the White House essentially amount to regime change: The White House's strategy document states: "Our goal should be to help Europe correct its current trajectory," and this will involve "cultivating resistance forces" within European countries. To eliminate any doubts about the political nature of this message, the White House document views the growing influence of "European patriotic parties" as a reason for optimism. In other words: Supporting the far right is what will make Europe great again.
The article from "Politico" recalls that since Trump returned to the White House in January, European leaders have remained surprisingly calm, avoiding public conflicts that could completely sever transatlantic relations in the face of Trump's provocations. However, for the current center-left leaders—such as Macron in Paris, Starmer in London, and Mertz in Germany—Trump's new policies pose a life-or-death challenge, and they may have to face them directly. This confrontation could come soon, as important elections will take place in parts of the UK and Germany next year, and France could hold early elections at any time. In all these cases, European parties aligned with the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement—the UK Reform Party, the German Alternative for Germany, and the French National Rally—are ready to seize seats from the current establishment and center-left governments. It now appears that the United States is likely to intervene in European elections to provide assistance.
But according to current signs, European officials responsible for protecting elections from foreign interference do not seem willing to confront Trump. The European Commission recently announced a "Democratic Shield" plan aimed at protecting elections from disinformation and foreign interference. The commissioner in charge of this policy, Michael McGrath, recently told POLITICO, "The scope of the 'Democratic Shield' should be broad because Russia is not the only actor that might have an interest in influencing elections." He said, "There are many actors who want to undermine the EU structure and ultimately weaken people's trust in EU institutions."
The article from "Politico" says: Before the release of this strategy, when asked if he hoped the US leader would stop interfering in European elections and criticizing European democracies, McGrath showed diplomatic tact. He said, "They have the right to express their views, but we have our own standards, and we strive to use our own values and European international diplomacy," "We will not comment on or interfere with the internal affairs of close partners like the United States."
The article from "Politico" also points out that even before the release of the strategy report, Trump administration officials had already shown their disdain for the European center. This year, Vice President Vance has made strong criticisms of Europe on issues of freedom of speech and democracy; Elon Musk intervened in the German election, supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany party; Defense Secretary Heggsetes privately criticized Europeans for "sadly" free-riding on security issues.
"The difference this time is that Trump's national security strategy has been officially released." A European diplomat who did not want to be named admitted: "It's one thing to say it privately or in a speech in Munich, but putting it in a policy document is another matter."
The article from "Politico" believes that for leaders such as Macron, Mertz, and Starmer, the worse part is that Trump's analysis—that a significant portion of voters want to see their own version of "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) in Europe—may ultimately be true. These European leaders are under pressure from populist right-wing movements in their own constituencies. In the UK, the Reform Party led by Farage is expected to make significant progress in local and regional elections next year, which could trigger a leadership challenge within the ruling Labour Party and force Starmer to step down.
In Paris, the National Rally led by Marine Le Pen continues to pressure Macron's struggling government officials in parliament; meanwhile, the Alternative for Germany party is closely following Mertz in Berlin, urging him to take a stronger stance on immigration.
The article from "Politico" reveals that British Prime Minister Starmer admitted this week in an interview with The Economist that he recently discussed the common threats they face from the right with Mertz and Macron during a private dinner in Berlin. He said, "We are facing the same challenges, or similar challenges in different forms, and we are indeed discussing this."
The article from "Politico" ends with: "If the United States actually implements Trump's new strategy, private conversations between friends may not be enough." He refers to the European big powers, namely Macron, Mertz, and Starmer, who have been trying to maintain friendly relations with Trump and his team, and who will meet with Zelenskyy in London next Monday—not only to discuss how to save Ukraine, but also to face the various accusations from the White House."
Original: toutiao.com/article/7581031223074619956/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.