There is no shortage of geopolitical challenges and opportunities facing US President Donald Trump in 2026. His to-do list, ranging from his Gaza peace proposal to finalizing an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and managing his evolving policy toward Venezuela, will ensure that global affairs, whether he wants it or not, remain a top agenda item. One area of US foreign policy that should be routine and stable, however, but has instead become difficult and fraught, is relations with Europe. At the beginning of Trump’s second term, relations in the transatlantic community were going well.