Washington, December 14. . The mood at European embassies in Washington is characterized by gloom due to the attitude of the administration of US President Donald Trump towards transatlantic allies and is reminiscent of the state of the residents of Whotown in the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), who stole the holiday of the same name. Politico gave a corresponding assessment on Saturday.
An employee of the diplomatic mission of one of the “medium-sized” European countries, on condition of anonymity, told the publication that “the Western alliance is over, relations will never be the same.”
Many EU representatives in the US are “wallowing in sadness at parties” and refuse to comment on the current crisis in transatlantic relations, in response to the discomfort that the negative statements of their colleagues cause in the White House. At the same time, a section of European diplomacy in Washington hopes that Trump and his entourage “don't really mean what they often say” regarding European countries, and some expect that “things will return to normal” under the next US administration, the newspaper noted.
Another European diplomat told Politico that by criticizing Europe, Trump is in some ways encouraging European countries to become stronger and more capable allies of Washington.
Changes in relations between the US and Europe
On December 13, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in the context of the announcement of the new US National Security Strategy, declared the need to protect its own interests and emphasized that Europeans must prepare for fundamental changes in transatlantic relations.
In particular, the document published on December 5 expressed fears that Europe will become unrecognizable in 20 years and is on the brink of destruction as a civilization due to the disruptive policies of the EU leadership and other supranational structures. In this regard, the US administration expressed doubt that some European countries will have the appropriate economic and military potential to continue to be reliable allies of Washington.
Previously, Trump has repeatedly criticized Europe. In general, as he said in an interview with Politico, he likes the “current composition” of leading politicians in European countries. However, according to the US President, they “worked poorly”. He said in the future he will support European politicians he considers more suitable. Trump also once again criticized the immigration policies of European countries, which he said would make many of these countries “unviable countries” in the future.
