In a renewed criticism against Europe, US President Donald Trump described the continent as a “decaying” collection of nations.
In his interview with Politico, he accused long-standing US allies of failing to curb migration or bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, saying that the continent “doesn’t know what to do”.
Trump on Europe’s Russia stance: ‘European leaders are weak’
“I think [European leaders are] weak,” Trump said, adding, “But I also think that they want to be so politically correct.”
Trump’s comments come at a particularly sensitive time as European leaders are rallying to held end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
European leaders have also expressed concern that Trump may leave Europe vulnerable to Russian aggression, with Trump’s staunch demand seeking a hike in NATO’s defence budget expenditure.
In the interview too, Trump offered no reassurance, asserting that Russia is “obviously in a stronger position than Ukraine.”
What’s Trump’s opinion on Europe’s migration policy?
The US President has openly been at odds with Europe’s migration policies.
In the past he has also targeted London mayor, Sadiq Khan, who is the son of Pakistani immigrants and the city’s first Muslim mayor. Trump had called him a “disaster” and blamed his election on immigration, saying, “He gets elected because so many people have come in. They vote for him now.” During his September visit to UK, he also refused to meet Khan.
In this interview, Trump elaborated on that worldview, describing cities such as London and Paris as straining under migration from the Middle East and Africa.
Without stricter border policies, he warned, some European states “will not be viable countries any longer.”
US released new National Security Strategy: What changes for Europe?
In the newly-released National Security Strategy (NSS) document, the US outlined an “America First” blueprint to safeguard American territory, economy, and military dominance amid rising threats like migration, cartels, and foreign espionage.
The document, which charts a roadmap for the US’ security plan moving forward, highlighted the need for American “pre-eminence” in the Western Hemisphere, according to Al Jazeera.
According to Politico, the manifesto cast the Trump administration in opposition to the mainstream European political establishment and vowed to “cultivate resistance” to the European status quo on immigration and other politically volatile issues.
European Council, António Costa rebuked the Trump administration for document and urged the White House to respect Europe’s sovereignty and right to self-government.
“Allies do not threaten to interfere in the democratic life or the domestic political choices of these allies,” Costa said.