Yes, Europe’s leaders are finally standing up to Trump. Here’s why | Mujtaba Rahman

Friedrich Merz’s criticism of the US president was not a solo run. It was born of the realisation that US leverage has slipped Friedrich Merz’s criticism of Donald Trump last month reflected more than a moment of personal candour or a split between Berlin and the White House. It pointed to a broader shift under way among European leaders. Increasingly they are willing to publicly confront the Trump administration on issues ranging from Iran to Ukraine and European sovereignty.The Trump administration’s ever-more erratic policies and the belief that they necessitate a more forceful response partly explains this shift.Mujtaba Rahman is the managing director for Europe at Eurasia Group, a political risk research and consulting firm Continue reading…

Friedrich Merz’s criticism of the US president was not a solo run. It was born of the realisation that US leverage has slipped Friedrich Merz’s criticism of Donald Trump last month reflected more than a moment of personal candour or a split between Berlin and the White House. It pointed to a broader shift under…

Friedrich Merz’s criticism of the US president was not a solo run. It was born of the realisation that US leverage has slipped Friedrich Merz’s criticism of Donald Trump last month reflected more than a moment of personal candour or a split between Berlin and the White House. It pointed to a broader shift under way among European leaders. Increasingly they are willing to publicly confront the Trump administration on issues ranging from Iran to Ukraine and European sovereignty.The Trump administration’s ever-more erratic policies and…