The Guardian view on the US and Europe: the UK tried to be a bridge, but Trump likes to burn them

## Summary
Donald Trump delivers a televised address on the conflict in the Middle East from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Donald Trump delivers a televised address on the conflict in the Middle East from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AFP/Getty Images The Guardian view on the US and Europe: the UK tried to be a bridge, but Trump likes to burn them Editorial The president’s outbursts on allies and Nato were further confirmation that Europe cannot wait to bolster security – and Britain must play its part “S he had no more surprises for him; the unexpected in her behaviour was the only thing to expect,” Henry James wrote in his novel Daisy Miller. This week alone the US president has publicly mocked the British prime minister and armed forces (as weak), the French president ( over his marriage ), told allies to get their own oil – having set the Middle East on fire – and said leaving Nato was “beyond reconsideration”.

## Article Content
Donald Trump delivers a televised address on the conflict in the Middle East from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday.
Photograph: Alex Brandon/AFP/Getty Images
View image in fullscreen
Donald Trump delivers a televised address on the conflict in the Middle East from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday.
Photograph: Alex Brandon/AFP/Getty Images
The Guardian view on the US and Europe: the UK tried to be a bridge, but Trump likes to burn them
Editorial
The president’s outbursts on allies and Nato were further confirmation that Europe cannot wait to bolster security – and Britain must play its part
“S
he had no more surprises for him; the unexpected in her behaviour was the only thing to expect,” Henry James wrote in his novel Daisy Miller. Leaders dealing with
Donald Trump
surely recognise the sentiment. James’s character was a young American out of her depth in Europe, falling victim to prejudices. Mr Trump is a real-world problem, and this time, Europe is battered by the prejudices and vengefulness of the American.
This week alone the US president has
publicly mocked the British prime minister
and armed forces (as weak), the French president (
over his marriage
), told allies to
get their own oil
– having set the Middle East on fire – and said
leaving Nato
was “beyond reconsideration”. Mr Trump’s wishful thinking has hit reality in Iran, where the war that he and Benjamin Netanyahu began will not be easily ended. His resulting frustration, concern about domestic political repercussions and desire to distract the public are matched by vindictiveness towards allies who rightly refused to join in.
Yet there was little shock at his remarks; rather, weary annoyance and alarm. The unpredictability of Mr Trump is built in, and so is the direction of travel – away from the liberal international order and traditional alliances, notably with Europe. The question is not one of direction, but of timing and degree. Remaining in Nato in name is
not the same as
upholding it. In calling it a paper tiger he again eroded the collective security guarantee. His pointed addition that Vladimir Putin “knows that too” was hardly necessary. Some in Europe – including parts of the British security establishment – still hope that he is an aberration, and that the transatlantic relationship could return to normal in a few years. But more emollient approaches also aim to buy time for Ukraine and the lengthy project of building up European defence.
The message is hardening. “When you want to be serious, you don’t go around saying the opposite every day of what you just said the day before,”
Emmanuel Macron declared
. But Britain is not only far more dependent on – and intertwined with – US security architecture than France. It is also, post-Brexit, highly vulnerable to economic retaliation. Sir Keir Starmer sought to make Britain a bridge between the US and Europe. The Trump administration likes to burn things. The
king’s state visit to Washington
later this month has little obvious upside and every prospect of becoming a humiliating diplomatic debacle.
Sir Keir continued to avoid direct criticism of Mr Trump when he
said this week
that the UK will seek a closer economic and security relationship with Europe, building on
previous remarks
. That shift is the right course. He knows it may reassure some Labour members drawn to the Liberal Democrats and Greens – albeit that it is not going as far or as fast as they would like or as is necessary. The prime minister may also hope that focusing on the shared nightmare of security persuades European leaders to be more helpful in economic matters. From the European side, though, there will eventually be demands for welcome signalling to be matched by substance.
In an unpredictable world, where old structures are disintegrating, Europe must build up its own commitments. Stronger security arrangements will require true cooperation, not just heavier spending on domestic defence industries. There is no time for delay.
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Mr Trump is a real-world problem, and this time, Europe is battered by the prejudices and vengefulness of the American.
- His resulting frustration, concern about domestic political repercussions and desire to distract the public are matched by vindictiveness towards allies who rightly refused to join in.
- Sir Keir continued to avoid direct criticism of Mr Trump when he said this week that the UK will seek a closer economic and security relationship with Europe, building on previous remarks .

### Implications
- Photograph: Alex Brandon/AFP/Getty Images The Guardian view on the US and Europe: the UK tried to be a bridge, but Trump likes to burn them Editorial The president’s outbursts on allies and Nato were further confirmation that Europe cannot wait to bolster security – and Britain must play its part “S he had no more surprises for him; the unexpected in her behaviour was the only thing to expect,” Henry James wrote in his novel Daisy Miller.
- Mr Trump’s wishful thinking has hit reality in Iran, where the war that he and Benjamin Netanyahu began will not be easily ended.
- Some in Europe – including parts of the British security establishment – still hope that he is an aberration, and that the transatlantic relationship could return to normal in a few years.
- Sir Keir continued to avoid direct criticism of Mr Trump when he said this week that the UK will seek a closer economic and security relationship with Europe, building on previous remarks .

### Expert Commentary
This article covers trump, europe, security topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 732.