European leaders no longer want to flatter Trump – they fear their own voters' gaze
Since returning to office, Donald Trump has repeatedly clashed with traditional European allies, and NATO Secretary General's flattery is no longer enough to ease tensions – European leaders are increasingly uncomfortable facing their own voters.
Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, he has sparked numerous conflicts with traditional European allies on trade, defense, and even personal matters.
One of the most sensitive issues in transatlantic relations is the US commitment to NATO. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte often uses compliments and flattery in meetings with Trump, trying to win his favor.
However, European NATO leaders are increasingly abandoning this strategy. Foreign policy experts noted in the program “Why” that this is because leaders feel ashamed to look their own voters in the eye. Simply put – no amount of flattery helps if Trump continues to question the alliance's value.
This shifting dynamic suggests that Europe is increasingly ready to engage with Washington from a position of strength, not subservience. The future of NATO and the US role in it remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the era of European leaders trying to appease Trump is swiftly coming to an end.
