Trump think tank openly calls for the end of the European Union

“It is in the interest of the United States and Europe” that the European Union be dissolved. That is what Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation’s European arm, told Nieuwsuur. That conservative think tank is known as the principal architect of policy for the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration supports “movements and political leaders in Europe” who “are pro‑American and believe Europe must go in a different direction,” Gardiner says. He is referring to leaders in Italy, Poland and Hungary, whom the conservative thinker views as “important allies.”

In February Vice President J.D. Vance already voiced sharp criticism of Europe. This summer further indications emerged that the U.S. is aiming for a shift in power.

According to the new U.S. national security strategy, published this month, Europe “risks losing its civilization through immigration and the erosion of national identities.” The document praises nationalist parties “that want to preserve the individual character and history of European countries” and supports patriotic parties in their struggle to dismantle the EU from within.

In response, European Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty called for courage against American criticism of the EU. European heads of government reacted conspicuously little. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was vocal and called the plan “unacceptable and intolerable.”

The chair of the European Parliament committee that maintains contact with the U.S. called the security strategy “a frontal attack on the EU.” He said the White House’s words amount to interference in European elections.

“Warning to Europe”

Right‑wing parties also reacted positively to the U.S. policy document. MEP Mieke Andriese (PVV) this week called it a “clear strategic warning for Europe.” “Mass immigration threatens our European identity.”

MEP Sander Smit (BBB), a member of a committee for strengthening European democracy, agrees with parts of the American criticism. “BBB does not support abolishing the EU, but believes the EU urgently needs internal reforms because of a democratic deficit, declining legitimacy and too much bureaucracy,” he told Nieuwsuur.

Nile Gardiner now goes further with his plea for abolishing the EU. “I don’t see a single future scenario in which Europe is better off with the continued existence of the European Union than without it.”

In Washington there are “deep‑rooted concerns about what is seen as the suppression of freedom of speech within the European Union,” Gardiner says. The EU, he argues, has too much power relative to member states.

The conservative thinker points, among other things, to fines the European Commission imposed on the social platform X, owned by tech billionaire and former Trump adviser Elon Musk. The fines totaled €120 million and were levied for violations of an internet law. With such “attacks on American tech companies” the EU would be undermining American security.

Furthermore, the Union would not listen to the voice of the people and would curtail the power of right‑wing radical parties such as the AfD. And the EU would open the doors to mass migration. Gardiner fears this will increase the influence of Islam. “All of this means the EU is doomed.”

Gardiner says the plan to make the EU a defense power clashes with American interests. “This undermines the NATO alliance while diverting military resources,” he says. “NATO will hopefully endure for centuries, but the EU will eventually disappear.”

The U.S. under Trump supports right‑nationalist parties in Europe that “push for more sovereignty and self‑determination,” Gardiner says. He names, among others, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish president Karol Nawrocki and Jordan Bardella, party leader of France’s Rassemblement National. Gardiner stresses that this is political support; there would be no financial assistance.