Europe Pushes Back: Growing Resistance to Trump’s Policies

In May 2026 German politician Friedrich Merz warned that President Donald Trump lacked a viable exit strategy for the war on Iran and that Tehran’s diplomacy had “humiliated” the United States. Merz’s remarks echoed a broader pattern of public criticism from leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Labour leader Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who have all taken a tougher stance on issues ranging from Iran to Ukraine and European sovereignty.

The Guardian

The shift follows a series of US actions that crossed European red lines: an attempted acquisition of Greenland, interference in Hungary’s election to favor Viktor Orbán, and the suspension of all US financing to Kyiv in March 2025. These moves, combined with what European capitals view as increasingly erratic US policy, have eroded the perception that Washington holds decisive leverage over the continent.

The Guardian

• Arms transfers: Sipri estimates the US share of arms shipments to Europe fell to 58 % for 2021-25, down from 64 % in the 2020-24 period.

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• Ukraine funding: After the US halted financing, ?60 % of Ukraine’s military hardware now originates from domestic production and ?20 % from European suppliers, with the US still providing critical intelligence and air-defence capabilities.

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• Trade retaliation: EU member states have approved measures covering €93 billion of US exports, signaling readiness to counter potential US tariff hikes on European cars.

The Guardian

European officials stress that a reduction in US support would not precipitate an immediate Ukrainian collapse, underscoring the continent’s growing self-reliance. The EU has pledged to “de-risk” from US dependence in defence, digital services and other critical sectors, and it is prepared to activate its anti-coercion instrument against US high-tech providers should territorial threats re-emerge.

The Guardian

Merz’s criticism reflects a wider European consensus that Trump’s threats often fail to materialise. The failed attempts to sway Hungary’s election and the limited impact of US-imposed tariffs have emboldened leaders, who note a “much-needed opinion-poll bounce” from standing up to Washington. Domestic opposition to Trump remains strong across Europe, further encouraging a less deferential posture.

The Guardian

• “Moreover, Tehran’s clever diplomacy had “humiliated” the US.” — Friedrich Merz, German politician

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• “Yet the Sipri thinktank estimates that the US share of arms transfers to Europe fell to 58% from 2021-25, down from 64% over the 2020-24 period.” — Sipri think-tank, research organization

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• “EU member states have already approved retaliatory measures covering €93bn of US exports, even if the European Commission would initially leave some room for negotiation.” — EU member states, governments

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• “If Washington proceeds with higher tariffs on European exports such as cars, as Trump is now threatening, the EU will respond more forcefully than it did last year, when it swallowed a 15% tariff hike as part of the US-EU Turnberry trade deal.” — European officials, EU institutions

The Guardian

The emerging willingness to confront the United States reshapes transatlantic dynamics, influencing defence procurement, trade negotiations and diplomatic leverage. A Europe less dependent on US aid may pursue independent security initiatives, while the United States faces a more coordinated European front on policy disputes.

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The sources do not detail the United States’ planned response to the EU’s €93 bn retaliation package, nor do they provide concrete timelines for the activation of the anti-coercion instrument, leaving uncertainty about the next escalation steps.

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Analysts anticipate that renewed US tariff threats on European automobiles could trigger the EU’s anti-coercion measures. Simultaneously, negotiations over Greenland’s status and further de-risking strategies in defence and digital services are expected to dominate EU-US dialogues in the coming months.

The Guardian