US allies, horrified to be dependent on an unpredictable partner with no clear alternatives
The United States' allies in Europe, Asia and the Middle East are facing a growing dilemma: unhappy with President Donald Trump's decisions, but at the same time dependent on American military and economic support.
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman and Donald Trump/PHOTO: EPA/EFE
After a year marked by tensions over trade tariffs, support for Ukraine and the status of Greenland, the war with Iran has added to the uncertainties. The conflict has affected the allies' economies, and the risks are rising if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, which would worsen the global energy crisis.
In this context, some European officials are questioning the very nature of the transatlantic relationship. President Trump has harshly criticized European states for refusing to join the conflict, calling them “cowards” and suggesting the possibility of withdrawing from NATO.
“The United States is unpredictable”, said Roderich Kiesewetter, reflecting an increasingly widespread opinion in Europe.
Addiction with no immediate alternative
Despite these tensions, allies recognize that there is no short-term substitute for US military and economic capabilities. Other powers, such as China or Russia, are perceived as strategic rivals, not as alternatives.
According to Michael Fullilove, quoted by The Wall Street Journal, US global influence after World War II was largely based on the consensus of allies, but this perception is changing.
Acute tensions in the Middle East and Asia
The situation is particularly sensitive in the Persian Gulf states, directly exposed to Iranian retaliation. Although frustrated by some of Trump's statements, including to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, these countries depend on Washington for security.
“Our main security partner remains the United States”said Anwar Gargash.
In Asia, similar dilemmas are emerging in South Korea, where authorities have eyed with concern the redeployment of US military resources to the Middle East amid tensions with North Korea and the rise of China's influence.
Criticism of the direction of American foreign policy
Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that European and Asian allies should take a more active role in managing the energy crisis generated by the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Meanwhile, Trump's fluctuating statements and decisions continue to cause confusion among international leaders. Italian Senator Carlo Calenda described the situation as difficult to understand, while former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stressed that the allies wanted not only a quick end to the conflict but also a return to a more predictable foreign policy.
Change in perception among public opinion
Recent polls by YouGov indicate an increase in distrust of the US among the population of major European states. About a third of respondents now see the United States as a potential threat.
Significantly, the current conflict is one of the few in the last century in which the US is acting without the direct support of traditional allies. Unlike previous interventions, such as those in Iraq or Afghanistan, international support is limited.
In this context, analysts warn that relations between the United States and its allies are going through one of the most difficult periods in recent decades, without a clear direction regarding their future evolution.
