Sam Edwards: "Several European capitals believe that the Trump administration is not committed to democracy"

LondonSam Edwards is a professor of contemporary political history at Loughborough University, one of the most prestigious British research institutions, located in the heart of England, between Leicester and Nottingham. Edwards is a specialist in historical memory, commemorations, and transatlantic relations, and is one of the leading authorities on the study of how the United Kingdom and the United States have constructed the shared memory of their colonial past. A member of the Royal Historical Society, he has dedicated recent years to researching the memory of the American Revolution.

What have been the most significant changes in European perception of the United States since Donald Trump's arrival at the White House?

— The key change since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025 has to do with the European perception of the US as a reliable ally. There have been several other low points in the transatlantic alliance (as during the 1960s), but for most of the period since 1945, Europeans have generally maintained confidence that the US was committed to their security and defense. The events of the last six months, especially the Trump administration's criticisms of NATO (and its plans for Greenland), have severely eroded that confidence.

Is this situation reversible?

— Perceptions can always change: a different administration, sending different signals and acting in another way, could reverse much of the damage caused.

What aspects of Trumpism – political, institutional, or cultural – have most pushed Europe to reconsider its strategic dependence on the United States?

— I believe that the worldview emanating from the Trump White House and articulated by various top figures – Vice President, J.D. Vance; Secretary of Defense, Peter Hegseth – has played a key role. There is a real sense in various European capitals that the Trump administration is not committed to the same values as its predecessors: namely, liberal democracy.

How has Trump's second term influenced European public opinion and the internal cohesion of the EU regarding the transatlantic relationship?

— Regarding Trump's impact on European public opinion, the picture is contradictory. On the one hand, his administration's disdain for Europe and its criticism of NATO have fostered European cohesion, as can be seen in new defense procurement initiatives. It has also made ideological allies of Trump –like Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy– have recently approached their continental counterparts. Similarly, it seems clear that European public opinion is almost universally hostile to Trump, as many polls show, including a very recent one from YouGov: " How popular is Donald Trump in Europe?", from June. And the support of the Trump administration to various European populist movements has also fueled internal discord in some countries. If some of these movements end up coming to power (for example, in France), the landscape will become more complicated.

Is Europe truly moving towards strategic autonomy, or does it remain structurally dependent on the United States despite changes in perception?

— I believe that, indeed, there is a European movement that is moving in the direction of strategic autonomy. One only needs to see, for example, how France is incorporating its neighbors under its nuclear umbrella. However, there is still a lot of work to be done for Europe to be truly autonomous, especially in terms of energy security and defense: after all, NATO continues to depend to a great extent on capabilities that only Americans have.