President Donald Trump has taken a critical stance toward Europe in his newly released National Security Strategy. The document, published early Friday, describes Europe as overly regulated and lacking self-confidence, warning of a potential "civilizational erasure" due to immigration. This strategy marks a significant shift from previous U.S. policies and formalizes months of criticism directed at European nations.

The strategy accuses Europe of exploiting American generosity and failing to take charge of its own future. It specifically targets European institutions that it claims undermine political liberty and sovereignty. The document also addresses issues such as declining birth rates, immigration policies, and what it describes as censorship of free speech and suppression of political opposition. It warns that if current trends continue, Europe could become unrecognizable in two decades.

The strategy notes that while a majority of Europeans desire peace, this sentiment is not reflected in their governments' policies, which it claims subvert democratic processes. The response from European leaders has been immediate and critical. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Germany does not require "outside advice." Valerie Hayer, head of the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament, called the document "unacceptable and dangerous."

Evan Feigenbaum, a former advisor to U.S. secretaries of state, remarked that the section on Europe is notably confrontational, suggesting that the U.S. is opposed to the European project. He highlighted a line in the strategy that advocates for "cultivating resistance to Europe’s current trajectory within European nations."

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, shortly after taking office, sparked controversy with a speech in Munich, where he claimed that freedom of expression is declining in Europe, aligning himself with far-right parties like Germany’s AfD. The National Security Strategy emphasizes the restoration of nation-state primacy, indicating a desire for a different Europe.

Kristine Berzina, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, noted that the questioning of European governments' legitimacy represents significant political attacks against U.S. allies. This comes even as the Trump administration claims to support European security amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The strategy's focus on freedom of expression highlights concerns about censorship and the rise of far-right movements in Europe. While it does not name specific parties or movements, it reflects the Trump administration's intent to influence European policies, particularly regarding immigration. Trump has openly expressed admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is known for his anti-immigration stance and opposition to LGBTQ rights.