The Trump administration has ushered in a dramatic shift in Washington’s approach to Europe, replacing traditional diplomacy with an overt ideological campaign.

At the heart of this transformation is an embrace of far-right movements across the continent and a rejection of liberal democratic values long upheld by European Union member states.

President Donald Trump has not concealed his disdain for the European Union, describing it as “a foe,” “set up to take advantage of the United States,” and “worse than China” in terms of economic competition.

His rhetoric marks a stark departure from previous administrations and has set the tone for a confrontational stance toward America’s traditional allies.

JD Vance and the ideological shift in US foreign policy

Vice President JD Vance has taken the administration’s critique of Europe further, condemning the "deeply flawed" European democracies, accusing them of suppressing religious expression, promoting unchecked migration, censoring dissent, particularly from the far right, and even cancelling elections.

In a speech in Munich in February, Vance sharply criticized European governance and met with leaders of the Alternative for Germany, a far-right party regarded as extremist and anti-constitutional.

This marked an unprecedented intervention in Germany’s internal politics and signaled the administration's support for far-right forces across the continent.

Direct involvement in European elections

Since taking office, Trump officials have shown open support for right-wing parties in multiple countries, including Britain, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Slovakia, Romania, and the Czech Republic.

These parties, seen by the administration as champions of civilizational nationalism, promote national identity, Judeo-Christian values, anti-migrant policies, and traditional gender roles.

The administration’s ideological leanings were further emphasized following the killing of Charlie Kirk. In its response, Trump officials escalated efforts to curtail what they labeled as left-wing hate speech, while defending right-wing voices.

Actions such as the Federal Communications Commission’s threats against ABC for airing Jimmy Kimmel’s show further exemplify this double standard.

Transatlantic far-right alliance emerges

Trump’s allies are forging deeper ties with European nationalist leaders. During Poland’s presidential campaign, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem condemned Europe’s liberal leadership and endorsed Karol Nawrocki, a far-right candidate. Trump hosted Nawrocki at the White House during his campaign and after his election victory.

Such engagements are not isolated. The administration has backed similar parties across Europe and established what it calls a civilizational alliance: a shared ideological front rooted in faith, family, cultural identity, and opposition to globalist liberalism.

Samuel D. Samson, a senior State Department official, described this alliance as necessary to confront what he called an “aggressive campaign against Western civilization.”

Growing distrust

Many European leaders are increasingly alarmed. Some see the US administration’s actions as an effort to reshape the continent’s political landscape, pushing for regime change in Europe through ideological influence rather than military intervention.

Trump’s aides have engaged in activities ranging from meetings with far-right lawmakers to criticism of European courts and interference in sensitive regions like Greenland.

These actions have deepened skepticism among European officials, who now question Washington’s reliability as a strategic partner.

Even European leaders who publicly maintain cordial relations with the Trump administration privately express anger and frustration. “We are entirely dependent on the United States,” one senior European official said, noting that fear of escalation prevented member states from pushing back on trade or diplomatic fronts.

US pressure on trade, security, and cultural identity

Trump’s tariffs and demands for greater European responsibility in the Ukraine war have strained economies already struggling with debt and stagnant growth.

Sabine Weyand, a European Union trade official, remarked that recent trade concessions were made under pressure, not negotiation. “The post-1945 economic order is gone forever,” she stated.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank closely aligned with the administration, has expanded its European outreach, collaborating with like-minded institutions such as Hungary’s Mathias Corvinus Collegium.

Leaders like Kevin D. Roberts of Heritage describe the European Union as “the most aggressive and dangerous enemy of the nation-state,” echoing the administration’s anti-EU rhetoric.

Civilizational reorientation?

Observers warn that the Trump administration’s push to reshape Europe is more than a foreign policy shift, likening it to a cultural offensive.

Dutch historian Luuk van Middelaar likened it to a right-wing version of the Soviet Comintern. “The ideologues are in place and want to use this power to build a new Western order,” he said.

The administration’s vision of a civilizational alliance is already influencing far-right groups across Europe.

As Trump and Vance position themselves as defenders of a Judeo-Christian West, European officials fear the long-standing transatlantic alliance may be irreparably changed.

Read more: Ukraine war: Trump envoy urges Europe to prepare for reduced US role