The American Policy to Fracture and Subdue Europe

Following the phone call between Trump and Putin, Europe entered what French President Macron described as an “electroshock,” feeling ignored and sidelined in the talks to end the conflict in Ukraine. In doing so, the Trump administration has exposed the myth of a Euro-Atlantic alliance, choosing instead to pursue a policy that ensures U.S. hegemony while addressing national debt and trade imbalances.

This policy centers around two main goals: confronting China and fracturing the China-Russia relationship. At the same time, it keeps Europe and the European Union divided and weak. This is done through manipulation of deep-seated nationalist divisions, especially by stoking far-right movements, provoking German militarism, withdrawing U.S. military and NATO support, and using tariffs to target the EU’s trade imbalance. Britain, with its sense of vulnerability after the threat of being sidelined by America, is also enlisted to carry out U.S. interests in Europe.

Trump’s removal of what he termed the European military and financial “dependence” on America through NATO and the war in Ukraine has forced Europeans into panic, especially regarding their security. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth furthered this fear when he stated at a meeting in Brussels: “We are here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe.”

America’s actions have prompted a response from the French, who post-WWII envisioned a united Europe balancing the power of America and the Soviets in the post-Cold War era. With highly developed economies and strong political and military potential, the EU once seemed capable of standing as a formidable power. However, the U.S. has consistently worked to keep it divided, using Britain as an ally to weaken Europe’s cohesion, subject military power to NATO, and continually undermine the possibility of a common European foreign policy.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Macron stated, “What Trump is saying to Europe is that it is up to you to carry the burden. And I say, it is up to us to take it on…This is Europe’s moment to accelerate and execute,” warning that the EU has no choice and is “running out of road.” This sentiment was echoed by other EU officials and European leaders.

Yet, the French face an aggressive U.S. policy aimed at keeping Europe divided, especially through the weaponization of European nationalism, the far-right, and German militarism. This has been evident in the interventions of figures like Elon Musk and statements from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the Munich Conference, where he voiced support for far-right movements, including the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Although polling second in the upcoming elections, the AfD is boycotted by official parties when it comes to coalitions or alliances.

The U.S. aims to help Germany overcome its post-Nazi past by reviving its nationalist culture and military confidence. Musk’s actions have made this clear. After stoking controversy with what some saw as a Nazi salute and Holocaust jokes, Musk appeared at an AfD rally, telling supporters to take pride in German culture and values. He argued, “There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that… It’s good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything” (JTA, 25/01/2025).

This rhetoric was echoed by J.D. Vance at the Munich conference, where he expressed concern over internal threats to Europe rather than external ones. Vance criticized Europe’s retreat from its fundamental values, claiming that dismissing people and curbing free speech and democracy would ultimately destroy Europe.

Along with stoking far-right and German nationalism, the U.S. has placed Britain back under its influence, using it to create division and chaos within Europe. Trump first rattled the British establishment by sending Musk to target UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, even calling for his removal (FT, 09/02/2025). Musk also criticized the UK’s far-right leader, Nigel Farage, stating, “The Reform party needs a new leader” and that “Farage doesn’t have what it takes” (FT, 09/02/2025). Trump also imposed 25% tariffs on the EU, which included Britain.

These actions were aimed at testing the British political establishment’s loyalty to the U.S., and the results were clear. The British political class quickly lined up to apologize to Trump and support his agenda to maintain the UK’s dependence on U.S. power. Lord Mandelson even publicly stated, “We have to respect and understand what drives him, what his mandate is to do, and how his allies need to adjust sometimes” (BBC, 10/02/2025).

A telling moment came six days after Trump’s inauguration when Starmer finally received a call from Trump. Starmer reassured him that the UK was “de-regulating as a strategy of growth,” but more importantly, he aligned with U.S. policies on Ukraine, even suggesting that British troops might be deployed there. Writing in the Daily Telegraph just before Macron’s emergency meeting on Ukraine, Starmer emphasized that the UK was “ready to play a leading role” in Ukraine’s defense, including committing £3 billion a year until 2030. He stated, “Any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine’s security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and the security of this country” (Daily Telegraph, 16/02/2025).

In this way, Britain serves as a tool to prevent a unified European response to the crisis, perpetuating Europe’s financial commitment to Ukraine and fostering a continuous fear of Russian aggression. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to promote far-right movements, agitate German nationalism, and support the AfD’s tilt toward Russia, keeping Europe fragmented, weak, and reliant on American policies.