The Trump administration has intensified its stark criticism of the European Union, framing a recent national security document's alarming language as a necessary "warning" designed to spur economic revival.
A 'Warning, Not an Insult'
Jacob Helberg, the US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, addressed reporters on Monday, seeking to clarify the intent behind the controversial strategy. The document had provoked outrage across European capitals with its dire predictions.
Helberg stated the language concerning "civilisational erasure" was meant as a jolt, not an insult, driven by Washington's "growing sense of concern and alarm" over the bloc's diminishing share of global GDP.
"There is a degree of alarm in Washington about the need for serious reforms in order to jolt the European economy back to life," Helberg explained. "We think it's possible with the right reforms."
Core Demands: Regulation and Retaliation
The US vision for reform centres on a sweeping reduction of what it sees as a stifling regulatory environment in Europe. Helberg argued that simplifying this burden would unlock talent and capital, making the continent more attractive for American investment.
This push is backed by tangible threats. The US has repeatedly warned it will not lift its 50% tariffs on EU steel unless the bloc rolls back technology legislation affecting US tech billionaires like Elon Musk.
The original strategy's threat to interfere in European politics to oppose "elite-driven, anti-democratic restrictions on core liberties" was labelled unacceptable by European Council President António Costa.
The Stark Growth Divide
The US position is underscored by a significant economic performance gap. According to recent data, the US economy expanded at an annualised rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, recovering from an earlier contraction.
In contrast, European growth remains modest. Germany recorded zero growth in Q3 2025, with projections of 1.3% in 2026. The European Commission's own estimates forecast growth of just 1.4% for the bloc in 2025 and 1.5% in 2027.
Despite the friction, Helberg emphasised that Washington ultimately desires a strong European partner to preserve the historic transatlantic alliance spanning over 70 years. The confrontational rhetoric, he insists, stems from a urgent desire to reverse economic stagnation before it weakens the partnership fundamentally.
