The Guardian: EU Leaders Refuse To Play By Trump's Rules And Fight Back
- 13.05.2026, 11:21
The case of Mertz is not an isolated case.
Europe is increasingly openly opposing Donald Trump, demonstrating a willingness to defend its own interests - from Ukraine to Greenland. According to the The Guardian, criticism of the US president by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is not an isolated case.
According to the publication's analyst, such rhetoric has arisen out of the realization that Washington's influence on the continent has significantly weakened.
Today, a number of European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer and Georgia Meloni, have shown an increasing willingness to publicly confront each other. In particular, it is mentioned how Merz has openly stated that he does not believe the US has a realistic strategy for war with Iran, adding that Tehran's slick diplomacy has literally "humiliated" the States.
It is noted that tensions have also escalated after European red lines have been crossed, from US attempts to buy Greenland to interference in Hungary's electoral processes, particularly the promotion of Orban.
This is particularly acute in the security sphere. Although the U.S. remains a key supplier of weapons, according to the analytical center Sipri, the share of American arms in Europe has already fallen to 58%.
The situation with the financing of Kiev has also become a telling moment. As noted in the material, since March 2025, the US has completely stopped financial support for Ukraine, and the EU has become the main source of provision. Thus, Ukraine already covers 20% of its needs at the expense of European producers, and 60% - by its own production.
"Less dependent on the U.S. Ukraine means less dependent on the U.S. Europe," - summarizes the author.
In addition, according to available information, Brussels is already preparing a powerful response to possible trade wars. EU member states have approved measures that could hit American exports to the tune of €93 billion. This is a symmetrical response to Trump's threats to impose higher duties on European cars.
"European governments have also realized that many of Trump's threats will never fully materialize. Resistance to the president - from Congress, the courts and even parts of his own MAGA coalition - is growing," the media outlet writes.