Trump administration says Europe faces 'end of civilization'

President Donald Trump’s administration has released a new National Security Strategy warning that Europe could face the “end of civilization” if current trends continue.

sarah

Dec 5, 2025 - 19:08

Trump administration says Europe faces 'end of civilization'

President Donald Trump's administration has warned that Europe is facing the "end of civilization" and questioned whether some countries can remain reliable partners, in a new strategy document that focuses specifically on the continent.

In the 33-page National Security Strategy, the US leader outlines his vision for the world and how he will use US military and economic power to achieve this goal.

Trump described the document as a "roadmap" to ensure that America remains "the greatest and most successful nation in human history."

European politicians have reacted, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul saying his country does not need "outside advice."

A formal National Security Strategy is typically issued by presidents once per term. It can provide a framework for future policy and budgets, as well as communicate the president's priorities to the world.

This new document echoes Trump's speech at the United Nations earlier this year, in which he sharply criticized Western Europe and its approach to migration and clean energy. The new report emphasizes Trump's vision, which calls for greater focus on US priorities such as rebuilding a "Western identity," combating foreign influence, ending mass migration, and curbing drug cartels.

Focusing on Europe, it states that if current trends continue, the continent "will be unrecognizable in 20 years or less," and its economic issues "will be overshadowed by the real and more pressing possibility of the end of civilization."

The document states, "It is unclear whether the economies and militaries of some European countries will be strong enough to remain reliable partners."

It also accuses the European Union and "other transnational institutions" of engaging in activities that "undermine political freedom and sovereignty," stating that migration policies are "causing conflict," and that other issues include "censorship of freedom of speech and suppression of political dissent, a sharp decline in the birth rate, and a loss of national identity and self-confidence."

Conversely, the document praises the growing influence of "patriotic European parties" and states that "the United States encourages its political allies in Europe to revive this spirit."

The Trump administration has cultivated ties with the far-right AfD party in Germany, which German intelligence has identified as far-right.

German Foreign Minister Wadephul stressed that "the United States is and will remain our most important partner in the [NATO] Alliance. However, the Alliance is focusing on resolving security policy issues."

He further stated, "I believe that questions of freedom of speech or the preservation of our free societies should not come up [in the strategy], at least not when it comes to Germany."

Referring to Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the document states that Europe lacks "self-confidence" in its relations with Russia.

The document states that managing European relations with Russia will require significant US involvement, and that ending hostilities in Ukraine is a core US interest.

The Trump administration has presented a plan to end the war, the original version of which called for Ukraine to cede some territories under Russia's de facto control. However, Trump's envoy presented a modified version in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from Ukraine's eastern Donbas region or Russia will forcibly occupy it.

The White House strategy document repeatedly mentions the Western Hemisphere, and the US's need to protect itself from external threats.