You can't accuse Donald Trump of lack of effort: the US president is trying everything to attract the world's attention. In addition to the war with Iran, he is teasing his southern neighbor Cuba, threatening to leave NATO, and over the weekend he even promised to finally shed light on the US government's previously top-secret UFO research.
However, the world seems to be slowly fed up with his chaotic policies. A new poll conducted by POLITICO shows that only 12 percent Europeans perceive the USA as an ally, and 36 percent considers them a threat. Five examples prove that Trump is now also losing his last friends.
For now, the meetings are mainly informal, but according to The Wall Street Journal, Paris, Berlin and Rome are intensively preparing for the possibility that the US will turn away from Europe. Just two weeks ago, Trump again threatened to withdraw his troops from Europe — apparently out of frustration with the lack of help in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Europe does not intend to leave it like that. By 2030, the EU wants to be completely independent in defense matters. French President Emmanuel Macron proposes expanding his nuclear shield to cover all of Europe as soon as possible. This means that in the event of a nuclear attack on a partner country, France would make its nuclear arsenal available to carry out retaliatory strikes instead of the US.
French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace in Paris, April 21, 2026.LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL / AFP / AFP
At the beginning of the week, Paris also announced that it plans to create a military satellite network together with Poland. Goal: to become independent from Elon Musk's American Starlink system.
2. Trump's best friend in Europe changes his tune
Alexander Stubb, Trump's golf course friend, is also now changing his approach. The president of Finland (as he himself claims, “America's greatest supporter in Europe”) has recently been clearly critical of his alleged friend in Washington. “Our relationship with the United States will never be what it used to be,” Stubb told Canada's CTV News.
In his recent speeches, Stubb he even issued a veiled warning to Washington: America should not forget that Europe has at least 15 percent. US treasury bonds. The pressure this could create is enormous.
3. Japan relaxes its post-war regulations
Japan has not exported weapons since World War II. However, on Tuesday, the government of new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi eased the strict export ban. In the future, Japan intends to provide its partners with lethal weapons if necessary. This is a clear sign that the country no longer relies on US protection.
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Takaichi, who gets along well with the US president personally, is also continuing talks with China and South Korea on a free trade agreement – in response to Trump's tariff bickering.
4. Berlin will soon produce weapons instead of cars
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gave Trump the birth certificate of his Bavarian grandfather during his visit to the White House. But instead of more personal gifts, the chancellor is now sending clear warnings to Washington. In the context of Trump's dispute with Cuba, he reminded his colleague that there is no reason to attack another country “unnecessarily.”
At the same time, the German industry, which is going through a crisis, is undergoing reconstruction. In addition to the Patriot defense missiles previously produced in America, other weapons systems will soon be manufactured in German production halls. Germany – not without reason deprived of its arms industry in the middle of the last century – is facing a crisis related to the USA are transforming into a military-industrial power.
5. Zelensky looks at Trump increasingly coldly
Perhaps this is due to the departure of the troublemaker Viktor Orban, or maybe the agreement with Arab investors and German and Norwegian drone factories: in any case, Volodymyr Zelensky he is currently bursting with confidence. The president of Ukraine makes it clear to everyone: we no longer need the US.
On his social media platforms, Zelensky complains quite openly that Trump keeps sending his negotiating team to Moscow and not Kiev, which is “disrespectful.” According to him, Vladimir Putin is leading the US president by the nose. — Putin knows that I'm the only person who saw through it. That's why he only talks to Trump and not to me, Zelensky said in an interview with the BBC.
Ukraine currently produces most of its weapons itself. However, the cessation of supplies from the US would be very significant for Kiev, especially in the field of air defense. Nevertheless, Zelensky clearly no longer wants to speak in defense of the US president. The Ukrainian president's new self-confidence speaks for itself: The United States is just losing its importance. On the international stage, they are increasingly playing the role of a widely disliked loudmouth.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
