US-Europe Row: Criticism, Not Insult – US Foreign Policy

The Trump administration has defended its recent criticism of Europe, stating its national security strategy was intended to stimulate economic growth in the region. The strategy, however, has been widely condemned in Europe for its rhetoric regarding a potential “civilisational erasure.”

US Strategy Aimed at Economic Revival, Official Says

Jacob Helberg, the US under secretary of state for economic affairs, told reporters Monday that the strategy was a response to what Washington perceives as an economic crisis and over-regulation in Europe. He characterized the language used in the national security strategy – particularly concerning “civilisational erasure” – as a “warning,” not an “insult.”

“There is a growing sense of concern and alarm in the United States about the fact that Europe’s economic, relative economic decline as a share of the global GDP is a crisis,” Helberg said. He added that Washington is concerned about the need for “serious reforms” to revitalize the European economy.

Helberg indicated the desired changes focus on simplifying and reducing the regulatory burden in Europe, which the US believes would attract investment and unlock talent. The US has also repeatedly threatened to maintain 50% steel tariffs on the EU unless the bloc revises tech legislation impacting billionaires like Elon Musk.

Economic Disparities Highlighted

Helberg stated the US seeks a strong Europe to maintain the “historic 70-year plus of a transatlantic alliance,” noting the bloc is currently lagging behind other leading economies. Germany, for example, experienced no GDP growth in the third quarter of 2025, with projections of 1.3% growth in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027.

Overall, the EU estimates growth of 1.4% for 2025 and 1.5% in 2027. In comparison, the US economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, following a contraction in the first quarter of the year, partially attributed to the impact of Trump’s tariff strategy.

António Costa, president of the European Council, has already condemned the US threat to interfere in European politics and oppose what the US terms “elite-driven, anti-democratic restrictions on core liberties in Europe” as unacceptable.