Blinken Urges Europe to Prove Its Strength as Trump Returns to Power

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Blinken Urges Europe to Prove Its Strength as Trump Eyes Return to Power

 

Antony Blinken, President Biden’s secretary of state, has delivered a direct message to Europe, warning that Donald Trump sees the continent as weak and fragmented. Speaking to Times Radio, Blinken described how the former president's worldview is shaped by admiration for authoritarian figures and disdain for what he perceives as disunity in Europe. In his view, the only way for Europe to be taken seriously by a potential second Trump administration is by showing greater resolve and unity.

 

“My sense is that as President Trump looks at the world, there are a couple of things he looks at. He looks to, from his perspective, strong leaders or strong countries,” Blinken said. “And the leaders that he sees as strong leaders are Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, maybe Modi in India, Erdogan in Turkey, MBS [Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman] in Saudi Arabia. Honestly, when he looks at Europe, I think he sees a continent that’s not strong, that from his perspective, that’s not united, that’s a weaker actor. And so I think part of the challenge for Europe to be taken seriously by the president is to show greater cohesiveness, greater unity, greater common purpose, because then Europe has to be taken in a more serious manner.”

 

Blinken’s remarks come amid ongoing friction between Washington and its European allies, aggravated by trade disputes and U.S. demands for increased defence spending. He acknowledged that trust between Europe and the U.S. has been strained, especially when it comes to intelligence sharing. “I think that’s got to be a concern,” he said. “And again, this is something that I hear … I think as you have conversations with friends around the world, they at least ask this question. They raise this question and certainly it’s part of the conversation.”

“My concern is that countries are looking at the uncertainty and they’re saying… we have to look at working around or away from the United States.”@ABlinken tells @JPonpolitics “the jury is still out” as to whether the US can still be considered an ally of Europe under Trump. pic.twitter.com/s5ZA0fdTME

— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) May 13, 2025

 

On Ukraine, Blinken criticised Trump for failing to follow through on his campaign promise to resolve the war swiftly. During his campaign, Trump claimed he would end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office. That claim, Blinken said, has not held up under scrutiny. “Remember, before President Trump took office, during the campaign, he said he would solve Ukraine in a matter of 24 hours, and now here we are, whatever it is, 120 days later — that hasn’t happened,” he remarked.

 

While Blinken stopped short of saying Trump favored Russia in the ongoing war, he questioned the balance of Trump’s approach. “From the president’s perspective, my understanding is, as I read it, [Trump] wants to see an end to this,” he said. “The question is, how do you get to an end? I think he’s put too much pressure on Ukraine, not enough pressure on Putin and on Russia. That’s the distinction.”

 

Turning to Gaza, another major foreign policy challenge during his tenure, Blinken expressed frustration over the Biden administration’s limited progress in resolving the crisis. He also emphasized the need to hold Hamas accountable. “What’s equally disturbing throughout this horrific, horrific period that we’ve lived since October 7, is I’d also like to see more pressure, more focus on Hamas and on what it’s done to put people in this terrible, terrible predicament,” he said.

 

“I really understand and feel strongly the passions of people who are more than upset with the situation of Palestinians in Gaza and Israel’s policies. It would also be, I think, beneficial if they spent maybe 10 per cent of their time putting that same pressure on Hamas.”

 

Blinken’s candid assessments reflect the rising uncertainty over America’s foreign policy direction should Trump return to the White House. His message to European leaders was clear: unite, strengthen your stance, and be prepared to confront a U.S. administration that may once again challenge transatlantic alliances.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times  2025-05-15