The New York Times wrote on April 10: "Europeans are no longer groveling before Trump. More than a year after Trump returned to the White House, Europe and many other countries around the world have come to realize that no matter how humble they may be, it only earns him fleeting approval."
"His series of actions have shattered the last illusions held by most Europeans: Trump is far from a predictable, rational partner; instead, he is an unpredictable, vengeful, and uncontrollable danger."
The core of The New York Times' commentary lies in describing and explaining the fundamental shift in Europe’s attitude toward Trump—from 'trying to appease' to 'abandoning illusions.'
Europe has abandoned its 'groveling' toward Trump. The article argues that Europe once sought to gain Trump’s goodwill through concessions, but after more than a year, it has fully realized that such a strategy only yields 'temporary approval' and cannot establish a stable relationship.
Trump is characterized as an 'unpredictable danger.' Europe’s conclusion is that Trump is not a traditional negotiating partner one can bargain with, but rather an opponent whose behavior is unpredictable, highly vengeful, and utterly uncontrollable—rendering any rational calculation-based compromise meaningless.
This marks the collapse of the long-standing foundation of U.S.-European relations—a generation’s memory built on predictability, shared values, and mutual respect. Europe’s refusal to grovel is both a strategic necessity born of forced adaptation and an emotional backlash stemming from wounded dignity.
This shift in perception will drive Europe to accelerate its pursuit of strategic autonomy—such as strengthening its own defense, developing independent diplomacy, and deepening ties with other major powers like China and India. However, the deep entanglement between Europe and the U.S. in security and economics means Europe cannot fully disentangle itself. In the future, their relationship may become more tense and transactional.
In short, this article captures a turning point: European elites have now completely lost hope in 'buying Trump’s goodwill through compromise' and are preparing for a transatlantic relationship that is fundamentally different—and more conflict-ridden—than the past. For readers, this serves not only as an observation of the current state of U.S.-European relations but also as a warning about the turbulent international landscape ahead.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1862092254014476/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.