A recent claim by the British newspaper The Telegraph suggests that a leaked draft document indicates the United States intends to strategically weaken Europe. According to this alleged document, the US is preparing to forge new alliances with Asian nations, including India and China, while however, the US government has vehemently denied the authenticity of this leaked document, stating that the official and genuine US National Security Strategy (NSS) is the 29-page document released on Friday.
The Alleged Strategy to Undermine the European Union
As per the leaked document, the Trump administration's purported plan involves strategically weakening the European Union (EU), while this strategy reportedly includes efforts to change governments in key European nations such as Britain, France, and Germany. Also, there are claims of a plan to separate four specific countries—Italy, Hungary, Poland, and Austria—from the EU, while several potential reasons are outlined for this alleged strategy, primarily linked to US geopolitical and economic interests.
Economic Competition and Trade Interests
The European Union stands as one of the world's largest interconnected economies, boasting a combined GDP of approximately 17 trillion dollars. A strong EU is perceived as a significant challenge to US trade interests. The leaked document suggests that by weakening the EU, the US aims to negotiate individual trade deals with European nations, thereby securing more favorable terms and gaining greater control over the European market. Currently, trade between the US and the EU exceeds 1 trillion dollars annually, making the EU the largest trade partner for the US, while disrupting this economic bloc could be a strategic move for the US to enhance its own economic use.
Reducing the Financial Burden on NATO
The Trump administration has frequently expressed dissatisfaction regarding Europe's contribution to NATO's defense spending. The US contends that it bears the largest financial burden for NATO's security framework, while many European countries fail to meet the agreed-upon target of spending at least 2% of their GDP on defense. Among NATO's 32 member states, the US alone accounts for approximately 65 to 70% of the total military expenditure, Notably more than Germany (6%), the UK (5. 4%), and France (4. 3%). While some European nations have increased their defense budgets following the Russia-Ukraine conflict,. The US continues to demand a more equitable sharing of the financial load.
Discontent with Europe's Migration Policy
Former President Trump has, on numerous occasions, voiced his strong disapproval of Europe's liberal immigration policies. He has referenced the 'Great Replacement Theory,' which posits that continuous immigration is weakening Europe and causing it to lose its identity. Trump has asserted that many European leaders are misguided and that their migration policies have proven to be utter failures, while he believes that ongoing immigration and censorship of free speech in Europe pose a threat to the very fabric of civilization. This dissatisfaction with European migration policies is cited as another. Potential driver behind the alleged strategy to weaken the EU.
Aligning with Nationalist Governments
The leaked document also mentions a US plan to establish a. 'Core-5' alliance, comprising the United States, China, Russia, India, and Japan. The objective of this new alliance would be to sideline Europe from global decision-making processes, while this strategy would enable the US to make significant global decisions without Europe's consent and to engage directly with Asian superpowers, thereby strengthening its position in Asia. Such a configuration would Importantly diminish Europe's role on the world stage.
The Trump administration reportedly favors right-wing governments in European countries due to their alignment on several key issues. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government advocates for strict immigration policies, nationalism, and traditional values, which resonate with Trump's 'America First' ideology. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán openly opposes illegal immigration and certain EU policies, earning frequent praise from Trump. Poland has been proactive in increasing its defense spending on NATO, a core demand of Trump, while austria's government also advocates for limiting immigration and reducing the EU's power. All these nations currently have right-wing governments, which is why the leaked document reportedly suggests separating these four countries from the EU.
The Need to Balance Russia and China
The new strategy also aims to foster stability with Russia. If the European Union is weakened, Europe's collective voice in the Ukraine conflict would diminish, potentially paving the way for direct agreements between the US and Russia. A united Europe could emerge as a third power in the ongoing competition between the US and China. That's why, by allegedly weakening Europe and forming the 'Core-5' alliance, the US could seek to deal directly with China, thereby tilting the global balance of power in its favor.
