The new National Security Strategy of the United States not only describes Europe as a civilization on the brink of collapse: it also reaffirms the ties that Donald Trump keeps with the European far right since his first mandate, alliances that today he considers the only hope of the continent and allies to advance his agenda. But although these formations share a good part of the Trumpist ideology – especially in matters of immigration—, have received the praise with nuances. While they celebrate the offensive against the structures of the European Union (EU), American interference collides with ultranationalism that they themselves promote.
““Trump believes that only by attacking will he get what he wants, but he is wrong.”he tells EL PERIÓDICO George Lombardi, Donald Trump’s campaign excessor. “There are people on your team who do understand what is happening in Europe, but “Trump doesn’t listen to them”adds this Italian-American businessman and philanthropist, resident of Palm Beach, where he often interacts with the president. In his opinion, the president would benefit from following the criteria of his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. However, he contrasts, his immediate circle is restricted to loyal figures, many from his own family, who do not contradict him.
Lombardi insists that Washington’s message must be read in an institutional key. “Everyone, from Nigel Farage in the UK until Giorgia Meloni in Italy, you know that It is not an attack on them or on European citizens, but on the EU institutions. The only ones who should be offended are the bureaucrats,” he maintains, and assures that this is how the ultra-conservative European leaders with whom he maintains contact have taken it. That is why, he insists, there are still “appetite for collaboration in antiterrorism, defense and industry”according to the former advisor who led Marine Le Pen to the US for the first time in 2001 to participate in the tributes after the Twin Towers and again in Trump’s 2015 campaign, when she was his guest at Trump Tower, where he himself resided.
Marine Le Pen together with George Lombardi, at a tribute to the victims of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center / Courtesy of George Lombardi
Europe as ‘useful fool’
Experts point out the absence of a coherent project that unifies these formations beyond opposition to Brussels. “There is no common ideological project. “The European far right is a ‘useful fool’ for Trump”explains to this newspaper Hector Sanchezprincipal investigator of the CIDOBsuggesting that the American president instrumentalizes his cultural and electoral victories to accelerate his own geostrategic agenda.
The truth is that the perception of Trump in Europe has a strong emotional component. While France and Spain tend to consider Trump a “enemy”Italy and Germany perceive him as an actor neutraland Poland stands out again with 33% who see it as a “amigo”all according to a recent survey by the French polling institute ‘Le Grand Continent’.
However, if Europeans agree on something, it is the rejection of how the EU defended its trade interests against Trump, when he imposed 15% tariffs. He 77% of Europeans expresses “disappointment” with the management of Brussels in its relationship with Washington, and the 52% claims to feel “humiliated” after the summer trade agreement.
““As president of the free world, he provides a framework that they take advantage of, especially to justify anti-immigration policies.”he points out. Its reading points to a paradox: the European extreme right extracts political revenue from American support, but runs into cultural and strategic limitations. “France has an anti-American tradition; “They can’t celebrate too much what Trump says.”remembers Sánchez.
“I am French, I am not happy with vassalage, and I do not need an older brother to decide the destiny of my country,” he said. Jordan Bardellain front of National Regrouping. While, Alternative for Germany (AfD) has received Trump’s words as a political boost: “This is a direct recognition of our work,” said the MEP. Petr Bystron.
Growing interference
Trump’s strategy in Europe is revealing for one more reason: for the extreme right, this document proves that “They have a strong ally in Trump willing to intervene in its national political panorama,” he explains to this newspaper Aurelien Mondoncoordinator of the Research Network on Reactionary Policies in the University of Bath, England.
The unknown, the expert warns, is whether this interference will be beneficial for them or if, on the contrary, it will strengthen those who oppose Trump. “This could open necessary debates about the role of foreign interference, political donations and the state of the media ecosystem.”he points out.
Support for Trump varies drastically from country to country: Italia is among the most favorable (28%), where Meloni exhibits itself with him, overtaking what had historically been his first ally on this side of the Atlantic, United Kingdom (22%). Support is more moderate in France (18%) and in Spain (16%), while Denmark falls to minimums (6%), all according to a recent YouGov survey.
The risk is that these dynamics develop at a time when ““Democratic institutions are extraordinarily weakened and the threat is imminent: we are approaching a ‘now or never’ point for democracy in Europe and beyond.”concludes Mondon.
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