In the wake of recent comments by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during a presidential debate, European officials have dismissed claims that world leaders “are laughing” at former President Donald Trump.
Harris had stated that Trump’s leadership drew ridicule from international figures, but multiple European foreign ministers and officials have publicly contradicted this narrative, praising Trump for his strong stance on NATO defense spending, which, they say, had a significant impact on Europe’s security landscape.
During the United Nations High-Level Week in late September 2024, foreign ministers from various European nations emphasized their neutrality regarding U.S. elections but acknowledged Trump’s influence during his presidency.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that Italy and the U.S. are close allies, and Italy would work with any U.S. administration, past or future. He added that Europe shares a deep bond with the U.S. that transcends individual leaders, highlighting that the transatlantic alliance would remain strong regardless of who is in the White House.
In particular, European leaders praised Trump’s push for increased defense spending among NATO allies. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky described Trump’s message on defense as “strong” and noted that Trump’s demand for NATO members to meet their 2% GDP defense spending commitment resonated, especially amid growing security concerns regarding Russia.
He pointed out that the Trump administration’s insistence on higher defense budgets led to more European nations reaching NATO’s defense spending targets, a policy stance that has only gained more relevance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó also defended Trump, stating that during his presidency, “everything was under control.” He argued that since Trump left office, global security has deteriorated, with increasing instability in regions like Ukraine.
Hungary, under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has been one of Trump’s most vocal supporters in Europe, with Orbán openly praising Trump and maintaining a strong relationship with him. Szijjártó expressed hope for a second Trump administration, asserting that Trump’s return to office could help resolve some of the crises currently plaguing Europe.
Trump’s impact on NATO and defense spending has been a key element of his foreign policy legacy. Before his administration, only a few NATO member states were meeting the 2% GDP defense spending threshold.
However, by 2024, 23 out of 32 NATO nations had reached this target, which NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg credited, in part, to Trump’s pressure on allies. This increase in spending has been crucial in helping NATO respond to new threats, particularly with regard to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis echoed similar sentiments, noting the deep historical ties between Europe and the U.S., and emphasizing that defense cooperation is “more than politics.”
Like other European officials, Landsbergis refrained from directly endorsing any U.S. candidate but stressed the importance of maintaining the strong defense partnerships fostered under Trump.
While some political figures in Europe have reservations about Trump’s rhetoric and approach to international diplomacy, many acknowledge that his administration’s firm stance on defense spending yielded tangible benefits for NATO and European security.
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, Trump’s foreign policy legacy—particularly in relation to NATO—remains a topic of debate, with his supporters in Europe viewing his strong message as an asset rather than a liability.
Despite Vice President Harris’s claims that world leaders mocked Trump, the overall response from European officials has been one of respect for the policies he championed during his tenure, particularly on defense. Whether this narrative will influence voters in the U.S. remains to be seen, but European leaders have made it clear that they are ready to work with whomever is elected in 2024.