Why Donald Trump is turning his back on Europe's old order

For nearly 80 years, the bond between the United States and Europe was unwavering. Forged in the aftermath of World War II, this alliance built institutions like NATO and the UN, upholding democratic values and a "rules-based international order." It was a shield against chaos, a shared project to prevent global catastrophe.

But America, under the profound and lasting influence of Donald Trump, is now signaling a dramatic divorce from its oldest partners. This isn't just a policy tweak; it's a fundamental redefinition of transatlantic relations, leaving Europe to grapple with a stark new reality.

The end of global rules: America First, Europe Last?

The most jarring shift? Washington is openly questioning the very "rules-based international order" it once championed. The latest U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) even snubs the phrase with skeptical quotation marks, a clear declaration: America no longer sees itself as the primary architect of global stability defined by shared rules.

Analysts like Karin von Hippel confirm this as a stark pivot from post-WWII global values. The new worldview, epitomized by former Trump adviser Victoria Coates, champions the nation-state as supreme. International institutions are now viewed with deep suspicion, even hostility, and are often accused of harboring "anti-American sentiments" or trying to "erode sovereignty."

This strategy explicitly advocates a return to "sovereign rights of nations," embracing a gritty, power-centric approach where the U.S. unapologetically prioritizes its own interests.

From multilateralism to muscle: The return of great power politics

This isn't mere rhetoric; it's a strategic overhaul. It marks a return to "Great Power politics," a world where leaders like Trump, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin favor unilateral action over cooperative multilateralism.

Moscow has, surprisingly, found common ground with this new American strategic thinking.

The NSS promotes a muscular, unilateral foreign policy, vividly demonstrated by recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela to oust Nicolás Maduro. Justified by the Monroe Doctrine's assertion of American primacy in the Western Hemisphere, this move bypassed international law to curb Chinese influence and secure vital assets like the Panama Canal. For this new America, sovereignty and regional interests trump global legal norms.

Europe: A partner no more, but a question mark

Perhaps most unsettling for Europe is its demotion within this new framework. While a "sentimental attachment" to shared history remains, the NSS criticizes Europe's "current trajectory," citing "economic decline" and the "risk of civilizational erasure." It even audaciously questions the long-term viability of some NATO members due to demographic changes.

Karin von Hippel labels this "very nativist" and "ideological," suggesting a focus on national identity over the liberal values that once bound the West.

Instead of a traditional partnership, Washington's new strategy subtly encourages "cultivating resistance" within European nations. This translates to backing nationalist and patriotic parties across the continent, viewing them as potential allies in a reshaped global order.

This sentiment has sparked calls from figures like Germany's Friedrich Merz for Europe to "achieve independence" from the U.S. and reimagine NATO—a costly and complex endeavor given Europe's deep-rooted dependence on American security guarantees.

The populist undercurrent: Culture wars go global

Beneath these strategic shifts lies a profound cultural and political chasm. The NSS embodies a "populist revolt against the establishment," fueled by anxieties over immigration, economic inequality, and cultural identity. This divide is evident across the Atlantic, from Trump's MAGA base to France's National Rally and Germany's AfD.

In America, these culture wars are now irrevocably woven into foreign policy. Russia, once a Cold War adversary, is increasingly viewed by some in Trump's orbit as a potential ally in defending "white, Christian civilization"—a stark indicator of how traditional values and national identity are now dictating foreign relations.

A fractured future: Europe's crossroads

Donald Trump's America is unequivocally pulling back from the globalist, rules-based order that defined the post-WWII era. Instead, it embraces a pragmatic, power-centric approach rooted in fierce sovereignty, unilateralism, and a deep skepticism of international institutions.

Europe now faces its greatest test in decades. Will it adapt to this new, harsher reality or risk being marginalized? As America redefines its role, the continent must now navigate a landscape reshaped by nationalism, great power rivalry, and cultural upheaval, striving to balance dependence and independence in a world where strength and self-interest are the new currencies of global influence.