Europe has for years endured complaints from US President Donald Trump that it is a “complacent continent hiding under the American security umbrella,” the agency recalls. But now, with the war against Iran underway, European leaders are finding that they still have what Trump needs: their bases, airspace and strategic location.
Europe, although it remains heavily dependent on the United States within a number of institutions, in particular NATO, retains leverage. America projects power in the Middle East most effectively when it can build on allies' geographic advantages—logistics hubs in Germany, air bases in Britain, naval facilities in Spain, and overflight permits that allow planes to move unhindered.
However, Trump's previous disdain for allies is becoming an obstacle for him, Bloomberg believes. The erosion of trust began just after Trump began his second term, with months of fueling conflict over Greenland, threatening tariffs and publicly disparaging the contributions of allies such as Britain to the war in Afghanistan. As a result, Trump is “deeply unpopular” in Europe, getting close to him is politically risky, and his threats are losing their impact, according to Bloomberg.
As an example, the agency cites the recent situations with the UK and Spain. Trump this week mocked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as “no Winston Churchill” and threatened to cut off trade with Spain after both countries imposed restrictions on aiding US military operations in Iran. However, both leaders remained unconvinced.
So far, European countries have refused to participate in Trump's Iran campaign, but Europe is already embroiled in war. After a drone struck a British base in Cyprus on Sunday, France, Britain and Greece moved to defend it.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested on Thursday that initial differences with European allies had been overcome and US troops stationed at bases in allied countries, particularly Britain, would play a larger role as the campaign continues.
However, Europe's willingness to support Trump is waning. The pattern, European officials say, is that Trump wins concessions and leaves. This is followed by a new crisis – a wave of tariffs, demands regarding Greenland, concessions to Russia, now attacks on Iran – the stakes are raised each time.
However, Europe's break with Trump remains virtually unthinkable: the continent remains largely dependent on the United States for defense, and most leaders continue to comply and make concessions where possible, Bloomberg states.
Context
At the end of 2025, the United States introduced a new state security strategy. It contains harsh criticism of US allies in Europe and a statement of the need to “end both the illusion and the reality of NATO's constant expansion.”
A number of analysts have noted that the Trump administration is actually abandoning the world order that emerged after World War II and is relying on a policy of “spheres of influence.” The media and Trump himself called his approach “Donro Doctrine” (similar to the Monroe Doctrine).
Amid Trump's harsh rhetoric and signals of a reassessment of US commitments to NATO, the EU has accelerated the creation of its own defense mechanisms. European officials are already actively coordinating actions without the participation of Washington, preparing a plan in the event of a US withdrawal from NATO and considering the creation of a new defense alliance, Politico wrote in the winter of 2025-2026.
