European populist leaders’ reliance on Trump faces challenges as his threats impact national sovereignty and trade.
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A close friendship between certain strong figures in European sovereignist and populist parties with Donald Trump has been tested by his actions. These politicians initially sought political gain and cooperation from the US president, who publicly demonstrated his international popularity among them. However, threats made by Trump regarding Denmark and Greenland have exposed the vulnerability of these European populists to losing credibility because of their association with him.
Trump threatened eight European countries with additional tariffs before Davos while reiterating his intention to buy Greenland, leading to objections from those nations. Although he appeared more conciliatory at the Davos forum, stating he would not use military force for Greenland’s acquisition and later withdrawing tariff threats, the pressure remained. NATO allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron, viewed Trump’s latest moves as open political coercion rather than standard trade disputes, with Macron calling the threats “unacceptable intimidation” and asserting that no pressure would change European positions on Greenland’s sovereignty.
While leaders like Macron called for strengthening sovereignty against Trump, those who championed sovereignty against the EU now face a threat to their own integrity from Donald Trump regarding Greenland and continental sovereignty. Political analyst Zsolt Nagy suggests that populist foreign policy only works when symbolic; quantifiable economic losses force these leaders to justify themselves, which is difficult as not all their voters support Trump.
Various national reactions illustrate this dilemma: Robert Fico’s meeting with Trump where he failed to address the tariff threats or Greenland, Viktor Orbán’s visit seeking financial protection from the US president without mentioning tariffs or Greenland, and Andrej BabiÅ¡’s downplaying of Greenland’s significance while maintaining his support for Trump. Nagy characterizes this as a calculated tactic where personal ties are political currency, but it erodes internal credibility within the EU.
In Spain, Vox leader Santiago Abascal reframed the issue by criticizing the Spanish government for focusing on Greenland while ignoring its own issues, such as West Sahara sovereignty. In Romania, George Simion’s attempt to gain favor with Trump was met with criticism from EP Vice-President Nicu Stefanuta, who sharply contrasted his actions with Trump’s treatment of Greenland, suggesting Romanian security is tied to the US.
Ultimately, many European populist parties are beginning to back away from Trump’s threats, as evidenced by some radical right groups publicly criticizing his tariffs. The future hinges on whether these pressure tactics will continue to threaten European jobs and exports, leading some allies to distance themselves and strive to remain credible sovereignists who view Washington, not just Brussels, as the primary threat.
