'Backfired spectacularly': European officials reportedly now view US as an 'adversary'
If Vice President J.D. Vance hoped to earn respect among international leaders with his speech in Germany last week, it wouldn't work, according to one senior diplomat.
Vance not only didn't persuade his audience, he insulted them, the Financial Times reported Monday.
"His speech backfired spectacularly, convincing many listeners that America itself is now a threat to Europe," said FT.
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“That was a direct assault on European democracy," alleged a German politician.
“It’s very clear now, Europe is alone," confessed a senior diplomat.
The reporter asked the man if he now sees the United States as an adversary and he replied, "Yes."
Gideon Rachman, who was on hand in Munich for the outlet, wrote that the only thing that could considered positive was the allegation it was “puerile bulls---." However, he said it was ignored because it was "aimed at a US audience."
There is now a concern that President Donald Trump could use his power to make demands about trade and security.
"That means that Europe must now start the painful process of 'de-risking' its relationship with the US, looking for areas of dangerous dependence on America and stripping them out of the system," the report closed.
Trump spent much of his first term and his 2024 campaign arguing that other countries didn't respect the United States.
Upon leaving office in 2021, Trump claimed, "The world respects us again."