US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ignited tensions with European allies last week by asserting that they had not adequately contributed during the two-decade war in Afghanistan. He reiterated a prior remark joking that the acronym for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stood for “I Saw Americans Fighting.” This comment drew swift criticism from European leaders, who highlighted the significant sacrifices made by their forces, including more than 1,100 non-American troops killed, most of them Europeans serving alongside US personnel.

While some might regard Hegseth’s comment as an isolated incident, it is part of a broader pattern of critical rhetoric toward European partners under President Donald Trump’s second term. This evolving dynamic is underscored by a marked shift in US policy documents. The 2017 National Security Strategy, issued during Trump’s first term, identified Europe as a key partner and emphasized the importance of NATO and the collective threat posed by Russia. In stark contrast, the strategy published late last year presents Europe in a more critical light, underscoring political, cultural, and economic challenges, and notably omitting Russia as a competitor or adversary.

This change reflects more than just rhetoric; it signals a reassessment by Washington of Europe’s strategic role. While Trump’s initial term included sharp critiques, its policies showed increased US investment in European defense, troop deployments, and military cooperation. Trump also became the first US president to authorize sending advanced defensive weapons to Ukraine, reversing previous restrictions.

Some European officials remain cautiously optimistic that the Trump administration’s second term may follow a similar pattern, urging a focus on policy outcomes rather than contentious rhetoric. However, observers note that this term has seen rhetoric increasingly mirrored by actions that have eroded transatlantic trust. A particularly damaging episode occurred when Trump raised the possibility of acquiring Greenland by force, a move that strained US relations with Denmark and Greenland despite a subsequent agreement on the US role on the island.

Additional sources of strain include ongoing trade disputes with European nations, uncertainties surrounding US troop presence in Europe and commitment to NATO, and unpredictability regarding US policy on Ukraine. These developments have raised concerns about the long-term health of the US-Europe relationship.

Such tensions carry significant implications given the deep economic and security ties across the Atlantic. North America and Europe together account for roughly half of global economic output. Europe remains the United States’ largest export market, with the majority of American states trading more extensively with Europe than with China. Likewise, Europe is the largest source of foreign direct investment in the US.

Given these interdependencies, many experts stress that restoring trust and cooperation between the United States and Europe is essential. The stability and prosperity of both regions are closely intertwined, and maintaining a strong transatlantic alliance is critical to addressing shared global challenges in an increasingly complex international environment.