Was Trump’s Trip to Europe a Total Disaster?

A U.S. president who has repeatedly undermined NATO just met with NATO allies. Yeah, it didn’t go great.

On this episode of The E.R., Max Boot joins us to discuss his new book "The Road Not Taken."
On this episode of The E.R., Max Boot joins us to discuss his new book "The Road Not Taken."
On this episode of The E.R., Max Boot joins us to discuss his new book "The Road Not Taken."

On this week’s first episode of The E.R., FP’s executive editor for the web Ben Pauker is joined by CNAS’s Julie Smith and Jim Townsend and FP’s Robbie Gramer. After a whirlwind international trip, President Trump is back stateside, but the repercussions are still being felt. From awkward handshakes and bizarre photo ops to a disappointing NATO summit, what Trump called a “home run” looked more like an unforced error.

On this week’s first episode of The E.R., FP’s executive editor for the web Ben Pauker is joined by CNAS’s Julie Smith and Jim Townsend and FP’s Robbie Gramer. After a whirlwind international trip, President Trump is back stateside, but the repercussions are still being felt. From awkward handshakes and bizarre photo ops to a disappointing NATO summit, what Trump called a “home run” looked more like an unforced error.

America’s transatlantic allies are deeply concerned with the administration’s inconsistent policies and actions. Europe’s leaders may have had low expectations, but NATO allies were looking to at least hear from Trump a reaffirmation of Article 5, the mutual defense part of the NATO pact. Trump pointedly left that singular principle of the alliance out of his speech (while dogging his counterparts about “back dues”) and there was nary a mention of Russian aggression and provocation in Europe. The optics sure didn’t look good. But is Europe really ready to ditch the United States and go it alone? In this episode, The E.R. team dissects Trump’s Europe pit stops and discuss what’s next for NATO allies.

Julie Smith is a contributing editor to FP’s Shadow Government blog. She is also a senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, and was previously the deputy national security advisor to Vice President Joe Biden. Follow her on Twitter: @Julie_C_Smith.

Jim Townsend is a contributor to FP’s Shadow Government blog. He is currently an adjunct senior fellow with the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, and was the deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy at the Department of Defense under the Obama administration, serving both terms. He has also held positions at the Atlantic Council and NATO. Follow him on Twitter: @jteurope.

Robbie Gramer is a staff writer for Foreign Policy. Follow him on Twitter: @RobbieGramer.

Ben Pauker is FP’s executive editor for the web. Follow him on Twitter: @benpauker.

Tune in, now twice a week, to FP’s The E.R.

Subscribe to The E.R. and Global Thinkers podcasts on iTunes.

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.