President Trump hurls insults at Europe, causing leaders to question allyship

President Trump's brusque criticisms against Europe are calling into question America's relationship with some of its oldest allies and drawing reactions from its leaders.

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

European officials are saying it is time for President Trump to show them some respect. Their comments are in response to an interview Trump gave to POLITICO this week where he called European leaders weak and said their countries are decaying because of immigration. NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from London.

LAUREN FRAYER, BYLINE: POLITICO began its interview by naming Trump the most influential person shaping Europe.

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DASHA BURNS: This year, POLITICO broke precedent to recognize an American for the first time in history.

FRAYER: And the flattery...

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BURNS: And, sir, there is no question that you are having a seismic impact.

FRAYER: ...Yielded a wide-ranging interview in which Trump insulted U.S. allies. He called London mayor Sadiq Khan, who is of Pakistani descent...

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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: A horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor.

FRAYER: Saying Khan owes his election victories to immigrants. European leaders want to be so politically correct, Trump said, drawing this rebuke.

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ANTONIO COSTA: Allies must act as allies.

FRAYER: That's European Council President Antonio Costa. He told reporters in Ireland that Europeans respect how Americans elected Trump and that Trump needs to do the same.

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COSTA: It's like this that allies behave between each other.

FRAYER: Trump called Russia strong because of its size, Biden era aid to Ukraine stupid and European leaders weak. In a speech, British foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said, It's the opposite.

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YVETTE COOPER: I see in Europe is strength and the strength and commitment to support Ukraine.

FRAYER: Europe is contributing more to Ukraine's defense as Trump withdraws European security guarantees that have been here since World War II. The White House recently published a document predicting civilizational erasure in Europe, which was praised by the Kremlin. Here in London, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has generally avoided criticizing Trump. They signed an early trade deal exempting Britain from some U.S. tariffs. The strategy here has been to keep Trump close.

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NATHALIE TOCCI: I think, to be honest, the time has come to realize that that strategy has failed.

FRAYER: Nathalie Tocci, a former European Union advisor, spoke to the BBC.

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TOCCI: Europe is alone, and the sooner we come to terms with this reality, the less the damage will be.

FRAYER: For Europe, she says it's now about mitigating damage from the U.S., once its closest ally. Lauren Frayer, NPR News, London.

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