US-EU relations: The 31 days that shook the transatlantic partnership

Barely a month after the inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States on 20 January, the transatlantic relationship finds itself on shaky ground.

Trade has been one of the main areas of concern, as Trump has unleashed tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminium imports.

“On trade, I have decided for purposes of fairness that I will charge a reciprocal tariff, meaning whatever countries charge the United States of America … we will charge them,” said Trump.

Across the Atlantic, the Old Continent is looking for a response.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen responded that “the unjustified customs duties imposed on the European Union will not go unanswered.”

“We are one of the world’s largest markets. We will use our tools to safeguard our economic security and interests. And we will protect our workers, our businesses and consumers at every turn,“ Ursula von der Leyen said at the Munich Security Conference last week.

War in Ukraine

While keeping Europe sidelined in its initiation of peace talks in Ukraine, the US began negotiations with Moscow in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, opening the door to numerous concessions to Vladimir Putin.

“I don’t see how a country in Russia’s position could allow them (Ukraine) to join NATO,” said Donald Trump.

“I think that’s why the war started,” he added, echoing rhetoric usually employed by Moscow.

For its part, the European Union is seeking to close ranks.

“We will continue to support Ukraine in negotiations, by providing security guarantees, in reconstruction and as a future member of the European Union,” assured António Costa, President of the European Council, at the Munich Security Conference last weekend.

Donald Trump has gone even further in recent days by questioning the popularity of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and accusing him of being a “dictator”, drawing a wave of criticism from Europeans.

“It’s completely absurd. If you don’t tweet quickly, but see the real world, then you know who in Europe unfortunately has to live under dictatorial conditions – the people of Russia, the people of Belarus,” retorted German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on public television channel ZDF.

“The Ukrainian people, with their government, are fighting every day for democracy in Ukraine,” she added.

Battle of values

Just days ahead of the elections in Germany, US Vice-President JD Vance criticised what he described as a decline in freedom of expression in Europe.

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“The threat to Europe that worries me most is not Russia, China or any other outside actor,” said Vance. What worries me is the threat from within – Europe’s retreat from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.”

In turn, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced his remarks as foreign interference.

“We will not accept that people who look at Germany from the outside intervene in our democracy, our elections and the democratic process of opinion-forming,” he replied.

This is not the first time the Trump camp has touched a nerve in Germany with regards to its upcoming election. On 9 January, some ten days before Donald Trump’s inauguration, the South Africa-born billionaire and close friend of the President-elect, Elon Musk, set the tone by chatting live on his social network X with Alice Weidel, the candidate of the far-right German party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).

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A new page is now being turned. According to a recent study, Europeans now regard the United States as a “necessary partner” rather than an “ally”.