However, international law requires Trump. His attitude presents a crucial challenge not only to global agreements like the Paris climate pact but also to the European Union, the largest global source of international legislation. Annually, the EU produces over 2,000 directives, acts, regulations, and other legal documents that shape the economic and societal landscapes of its 27 member states.
In a world dominated by America where the rule of law is disregarded, the EU’s legislative system could rapidly become outdated. The first week of 2026 has once more highlighted the paralysis and helplessness of European leadership in dealing with an American president who boldly claims that only his own “morality” can limit him.
“It’s a very important moment,” said a diplomat from a European nation, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. “There had been a tendency in European media to ridicule Trump and his associates, depicting them as foolish or even insane. I believe that’s incorrect. They are highly competent.”
Yet, according to this diplomat, their mission is explicit: to do whatever it takes to further the interests of the U.S. and the Trump administration. The White House is indifferent to being a good ally to Europe and is fully prepared to criticize, threaten, bully, and possibly attack the old continent. “This cannot be a surprise,” the diplomat commented.
The Ukraine of it all
Nearly a year into Trump’s second term, European leaders and officials have not formally debated America’s new distancing from its traditionally close allies at a strategic level. “That has to be discussed,” the same diplomat noted. “The reason we haven’t had a full-scale discussion on this is due to Ukraine.”
At the heart of the tension immobilizing Europe’s response is the fact that Europe continues to rely on NATO for security, despite repeatedly promising to be self-reliant, and it urgently needs American backing to achieve a satisfactory truce in Ukraine.
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