Europe’s Far-Right and Populist Parties Break with Trump over Greenland Dispute
European far-right and populist political parties – many of which once backed or praised Donald Trump — are now publicly distancing themselves from the U.S. president amid rising controversy over his aggressive foreign policy, especially his push to acquire Greenland.
Trump’s administration had previously embraced many nationalist parties in Europe thanks to shared positions on immigration, climate policy, and criticism of the EU, boosting those parties’ domestic standing. A recent U.S. National Security Strategy even touted the growing influence of patriotic European movements as a positive development. However, that alliance is now fraying as European public opinion turns sharply against Trump.
Strong Criticism from Some Far-Right Leaders
In Germany, leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) have openly criticized Trump’s tactics. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel said Trump had broken a key promise not to meddle in other nations’ affairs, and her colleague Tino Chrupalla condemned what they described as “Wild West methods.” Recent polls suggest that a majority of Germans now view Trump more as an adversary than a partner.
In France, Jordan Bardella of the nationalist National Rally called for Europe to respond, including considering “anti-coercion measures” and even pausing parts of the economic agreement between the EU and the U.S. Bardella and others argue that threatening tariffs on longtime allies undermines mutual trust.
Across the British populist scene, Reform UK — long a Trump supporter through its leader Nigel Farage — called Trump’s tariff threats against European countries “unexpected” and difficult to justify, even if the party still doubts whether Trump will follow through.
The Sweden Democrats’ Mattias Karlsson took an even harsher tone, posting on social media that Trump’s influence was increasingly damaging, likening his actions to a curse that harms whatever they touch.
Divisions and Cautious Voices
Not all parties on the right have turned sharply against Trump. Some, like the Dutch Party for Freedom and Spain’s Vox, applauded his recent actions in Venezuela but have stayed silent or non-committal regarding Greenland. Other leaders in Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have urged a more diplomatic, negotiated approach between the U.S. and Denmark rather than confrontation.
For example, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis shared a social-media video emphasizing Greenland’s strategic size and location, suggesting a diplomatic solution rather than heated rhetoric.
Italy’s Mixed Response
Italy’s conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni — typically more sympathetic toward Trump — described his tariff threats as a political “mistake” and stressed the need for better communication between Washington and Europe. Her deputy, Matteo Salvini, however, deflected blame toward European governments that sent troops to Greenland, illustrating the varied reactions even within national parties.
Why This Matters
The dispute stems from Trump’s ongoing pressure on Denmark and NATO allies over control of Greenland — a vast, resource-rich Arctic territory. Trump has threatened 10% tariffs on goods from several European countries unless they back U.S. efforts to negotiate for the island, a move seen across Europe as coercive and undermining long-standing alliances.
This shift among European right-wing and populist parties illustrates a larger trend: even groups that once championed Trump’s brand of nationalism are struggling to align with his more assertive foreign policy when it appears to target European sovereignty and economic interests.
