Will Trump’s New Security Doctrine Strengthen Europe’s Far Right?
The Trump administration’s new security doctrine urges the United States to “cultivate resistance” inside Europe. The document also repeats themes commonly used by far-right parties across the continent, raising concerns that Washington’s new approach may help these groups gain more influence.
A Doctrine Echoing Far-Right Narratives
The 33-page national security strategy (NSS), released on Thursday, claims that Europe faces “civilisational erasure” because of large-scale migration. This argument is widely used by far-right groups during election campaigns, especially by parties such as Alternative for Germany (AfD), Vox in Spain, Front Populaire in France and Lega Nord in Italy.
The document accuses the European Union of limiting political freedom and national sovereignty. It also warns that Europe’s shrinking economic share is less important than what it calls “a more serious threat” — the loss of identity and confidence due to migration, low birthrates, and restrictions on political expression.
Several European politicians say the language strongly mirrors far-right rhetoric. Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt wrote on X that the strategy “places itself to the right of the extreme right in Europe.” Gerard Araud, former French ambassador to the US, said the section on Europe “reads like a far-right pamphlet.”
Experts argue that the strategy also aligns with the “great replacement” conspiracy theory, which claims Western elites intend to replace native European populations with migrants. Mark Sedgwick, a professor at Aarhus University, told NBC that the language closely matches this theory, often promoted by far-right activists in Europe and the US.
Shift in Washington’s Priorities
The NSS also signals that Western Europe is no longer a top priority for the United States. Gregoire Roos of Chatham House says Washington now views Central and Eastern European countries more positively because they share similar political attitudes on migration, EU bureaucracy, and caution toward supporting Ukraine.
Countries like Hungary and Slovakia have long argued that migration threatens national identity — a stance the new US strategy appears to reinforce.
Why the Trump Administration Is Aligning With Europe’s Far Right
Since Trump returned to office in January, relations between Washington and far-right European leaders have improved. The NSS openly encourages the US to support “political allies in Europe” and help them promote what it calls a “revival of spirit.”
The administration stated, “We want Europe to remain European,” urging the continent to regain confidence in its cultural identity and reduce what it describes as “regulatory suffocation.”
Markus Frohnmaier from Germany’s AfD welcomed the document, calling it a necessary “reality check” for Europe.
However, critics warn that the strategy aims to divide Europe. Roberto Forin, acting director of the Mixed Migration Centre, described the doctrine as “an unapologetic defence of whiteness” and said the administration is “weaponising migration” to fuel political division.
European Response
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, said on December 4 that Europe can address its own internal issues without outside interference. While he acknowledged the importance of the US as a security partner, he stressed that the partnership should focus on defence — not Europe’s debates over free speech or cultural identity.
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