Trump’s “Promoting European Greatness” Strategy Exposes Europe’s Self-Inflicted Crisis

European leaders have swiftly amplified harsh condemnations of President Trump’s newly unveiled national security strategy, despite its Europe section being titled “Promoting European Greatness” and emphasizing America’s sentimental attachment to the continent.

Former French ambassador to the U.S. Gérard Araud characterized the strategy as largely confirming perceptions that Trump is an “enemy of Europe,” adding that the section devoted to Europe “reads like a far-right pamphlet.” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul rejected the plan, stating Germany would not accept guidance on democracy and freedom from the Trump administration. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt called the strategy “language one otherwise only finds coming out of some bizarre minds of the Kremlin.”

However, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas diverged from her peers, acknowledging that while criticism exists, “some of it is also true.” She noted: “Europe has been underestimating its own power. Towards Russia, for example… we should be more self-confident.”

The backlash stems from the strategy’s assertions about Europe’s decline, including economic downturns and what it describes as “civilization erasure” caused by uncontrolled migration. According to the document, ill-advised European Union policies have undermined sovereignty, political liberty, birthrates, national identities, and self-confidence. The strategy predicts that within decades, Europe could become unrecognizable and lose its capacity to serve as reliable U.S. allies or NATO members.

Trump’s National Security Strategy identifies quickly ending the war in Ukraine as a core U.S. interest to stabilize European economies, prevent further escalation, and enable post-war reconstruction for Ukraine’s survival. It also emphasizes reestablishing strategic stability with Russia—a goal that includes calls to end NATO’s role as a perpetually expanding alliance. The strategy notes Europe’s response to the war has been “confused and inconsistent,” encompassing unrealistic expectations and resistance by governments to peace efforts. It further highlights European hypocrisy in isolating Russia over the conflict, such as German companies building facilities in China to access Russian natural gas.

The plan calls for a strong, self-reliant Europe that takes primary responsibility for defense while promoting free trade, ending hostile trade practices, and ensuring fair treatment of American workers and businesses. The strategy states: “America is, understandably, sentimentally attached to the European continent — and, of course, to Britain and Ireland. The character of these countries is also strategically important because we count upon creative, capable, confident, democratic allies to establish conditions of stability and security. We want to work with aligned countries that want to restore their former greatness.”

Kaja Kallas acknowledged that the strategy serves as “a searing indictment of the failed policies of the European liberal elite that caused its decline,” confirming her belief that Europe’s lack of self-confidence has undermined its approach to Russia.