https://arab.news/9v5nu
US President Donald Trump’s first term of office strained relationships with much of the world, especially Europe. However, the shockwaves from his second presidency since 2025 may now mean that even more consequential tipping points are approaching in relationships between the US and its major allies with profound implications for international relations.
Much of Europe, and indeed many other key countries across the world, are preparing more seriously than they did from 2017 to 2021 for break points from the US. These countries know that even if Trump does not seek an unconstitutional third term of office, one of his Make America Great Again proteges, such as Vice President JD Vance, may well be the 2028 Republican nominee.
Vance was widely criticized in Europe, in particular, after his speech at the Munich Security Conference last year. It was there that he made the extraordinary assertion that the Continent’s main security threat comes not from Russia, but from erosion of democratic norms inside the region, including alleged censorship, and suppression of populist voices.
While much of Europe is hoping for the best, including a Democrat victory in the 2028 US presidential election, many states believe it is increasingly important to prepare for other scenarios. The UK, for example, this week announced an intensification of its Brexit reset with the EU, partially in response to cooling ties with Trump.
