Former U.S. President Donald Trump has again waded into European affairs, publicly criticizing the direction several nations are taking regarding immigration and national identity. The remarks, made Monday, follow the release of the White House’s updated National Security Strategy, which explicitly cites concerns over European immigration policies. This latest expression of concern continues a pattern of strained transatlantic relations that marked Trump’s initial presidency and signals potentially renewed friction between Washington and its European allies.
Donald Trump warned Monday that Europe is taking “some bad directions,” just days after the United States unveiled its updated national security strategy. The new strategy specifically addressed immigration policies across Europe as a point of concern.
“Europe has to be very careful,” the former president told reporters at the White House, adding, “Europe is going in some bad directions, it’s very bad, very bad for people. We don’t want Europe to change so much.”
The Trump administration released a “National Security Strategy” document Friday that outlined a decidedly nationalist approach. The document anticipates the “civilizational decline” of Europe and advocates for combating “mass migration.”
“If current trends continue, the continent (European) will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less,” the document states.
The administration’s assessment criticizes European policies it believes “undermine political freedom and sovereignty,” as well as “migration policies that are transforming the continent and creating tensions,” suppression of free speech, declining birth rates, and the loss of national identities.
Relations between the United States and its European allies have been strained on multiple fronts since Trump took office in January, including the former president’s overtures to Russia and support for conservative and far-right parties in Europe. The latest comments are likely to further complicate transatlantic relations.
