Belgian PM warns US ‘big stick’ turns against allies

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever speaks at the annual New Year forum "The Future of Europe"
Photo: Screenshot from website

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, speaking at “The Future of Europe” event organized by De Tijd and L’Echo, delivered unusually blunt remarks on U.S. President Donald Trump, the future of transatlantic ties, the war in Ukraine, and Europe’s own strategic failures, warning that Europe is entering a far more dangerous geopolitical era.

“Trump Doesn’t Love Europe”

Reflecting on his meeting with President Trump, De Wever described himself as deeply pro-American but warned that alliances require mutual respect.

“I’m the most pro-American guy you can find,” he said, adding that partnerships cannot survive if one side threatens the other. He confirmed that European leaders clearly conveyed their concerns to Trump but declined to reveal how the president responded, joking that he does not expect a White House invitation anytime soon.

De Wever said failing to draw red lines when allies are threatened undermines the credibility of any alliance.

De Wever accused Trump of fundamentally opposing the idea of the European Union itself.

“When he says he loves Europe, he actually means he loves 27 separate countries,” De Wever said, arguing that Trump prefers a divided Europe dependent on U.S. power rather than a unified bloc capable of standing on its own.

“The Big Stick Turns on Europe”

De Wever said Europe has long relied on U.S. power for its security but now faces a new reality.

“We depended on the big stick of the United States,” he said. “Now we see that the man with the big stick can also use it against us.”

He described this shift as unprecedented and called it a strategic turning point for Europe.

“The Stupidity of the Century”

Turning inward, De Wever offered rare self-criticism of European policy choices.

He said Europe’s rejection of nuclear energy was “the stupidity of the century,” acknowledging that the continent is still struggling to reverse the consequences of that decision and continues to make ideologically driven choices.

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