On Friday, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference that has since dominated political discussions across Europe. His sharp criticism of European leadership, concerns over the erosion of democratic values, and accusations of Christian persecution stirred strong reactions among politicians and commentators alike. But what exactly did Vance say that so deeply unsettled European elites? How have European analysts responded?
“A Sledgehammer Blow”—German Media Reacts to Vance’s Speech
German commentators interpreted Vance’s statements as an extension of the “American populist culture war into European politics”. While acknowledging that Europe can no longer rely on unquestioned U.S. support, some German analysts argued that rather than lamenting, European nations must take responsibility for their own security.
Vance’s speech was an unfiltered critique of European democracy. He accused European governments of abandoning their foundational values, embracing censorship, ignoring voters, and persecuting Christians—claims he labeled as the greatest threats to the continent.
German columnist Anna Sauerbrey described his words as a “sledgehammer blow” to transatlantic relations, arguing that shared values are no longer the foundation of U.S.-Europe ties. She criticized Vance’s portrayal of European democracy as a caricature and dismissed his allegations of judicial manipulation as hypocritical, given the Trump administration’s own track record in the U.S.
Europe as a “Second-Tier Partner”?
According to some analysts, Vance’s speech had two main objectives:
- To send a clear message that Europe is no longer regarded as an equal partner to the U.S. due to not respecting common democratic values.
- To cement an emerging alliance between the American MAGA movement and European right-wing movements.
According to German commentators, rather than speaking solely as an American official, Vance positioned himself as an advocate for a broader movement, using his speech as a tool of what one commentator called “dark American soft power.”
FAZ: “A Cold Shower for Europe”
Nikolas Busse from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung described Vance’s remarks as “new fuel” for the German election campaign. Instead of focusing on defense policy, the U.S. Vice President told European leaders that their real threat was their own ideological drift. Busse noted that while American conservatives now question the utility of defending Europe, German politicians see the transatlantic alliance very differently.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung: “Europe Must Stop Complaining”
Hubert Wetzel from Sueddeutsche Zeitung took a more pragmatic stance, arguing that while Trump and Vance have inflicted serious damage on NATO, endless lamentation won’t change the reality. Instead of wallowing in betrayal, he urged European leaders to mobilize resources and take control of their own security.
Bild: “Now Is Not the Time to Sulk at America”
Jan Schaefer in Bild acknowledged that some of Vance’s accusations were “absurd” but insisted that Europe must not respond with retaliation or indignation. Instead, the focus should be on strengthening its military and economic resilience, given the ongoing dependency on the U.S.
Trump Applauds Vance: “Europe Must Be Careful”
Former President Donald Trump enthusiastically endorsed Vance’s speech, calling it “brilliant” and warning that Europe is losing its freedom of speech and struggling with immigration. Trump also reiterated his stance that NATO expansion played a role in provoking Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, implying that a different U.S. administration could have prevented the war.
European Leaders Outraged, “Vance Meets Far-Right AfD”
Many European leaders condemned Vance’s remarks as unacceptable. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius dismissed his accusations, stating that democracy in Europe is fully functional—even for extremist parties like the far-right AfD. Meanwhile, reports surfaced that Vance met with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany’s AfD, a party widely criticized for its radical nationalist rhetoric.
Norway’s Prime Minister: “He Ignored the War”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre took issue with Vance’s focus on immigration, pointing out that Ukrainian refugees have significantly increased migration numbers due to Russia’s war—something Vance failed to mention.
What’s Next for Transatlantic Relations?
Vance’s speech may mark a turning point in U.S.-European relations. While some dismiss it as “populist rhetoric” (this stigma is becoming weaker and weaker), others see it as a clear signal that Europe can no longer take American support for granted. Will European leaders heed this warning, or will they dismiss it as another episode of American unilateralism?
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