Trump’s Retreat from Democracy Creates a New Opportunity for Europe and Britain

Thanks to Donald Trump, a major shift is underway in the global landscape. For decades, however imperfectly, the United States positioned itself as the defender of democracy and the land of the free. Now, as it pivots away from that role, a vacancy has emerged—an opportunity for others to step in.

The signs of America’s retreat from democratic norms are undeniable. The current administration dismisses court rulings with open contempt, with officials brazenly stating, “I don’t care what the judges think.” In a matter of weeks, the question of whether the U.S. still operates under the rule of law has become disturbingly relevant.

In its war against “woke” ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), even longstanding civil rights milestones are being erased. This week, it was revealed that an Army webpage honoring Harry Truman’s 1948 order to integrate the military had disappeared, along with several tributes to distinguished Black soldiers. When questioned, the Pentagon’s press secretary responded bluntly: “DEI is dead at the defense department.” Meanwhile, Trump has taken steps to abolish the Department of Education altogether.

But the upheaval extends far beyond U.S. borders. Nations that once admired America are now reeling from the Trump effect. Ukraine faces coercion to accept a so-called peace that would force it to cede territory to Vladimir Putin and its mineral wealth to Trump. Less visibly, Trump and Elon Musk’s dismantling of U.S. institutions is aiding Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s most vulnerable—its children. Among the casualties is a State Department initiative that documented Russian war crimes, including the abduction of more than 20,000 Ukrainian children, many forcibly adopted in Russia. Now, fears grow that crucial evidence has been lost, destroyed in the wake of Musk’s cost-cutting spree. Once a symbol of justice, America is now an accomplice to its erosion.

Increasingly, it is anti-democratic leaders who look to the U.S. for inspiration. This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu broke a ceasefire with Hamas, resuming devastating airstrikes on Gaza and killing hundreds of Palestinians—likely emboldened by the knowledge that Trump would not challenge him. Netanyahu also dismissed the independent head of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, as part of his broader effort to eliminate legal constraints on his power. The parallels with Trump are unmistakable. On Wednesday, Netanyahu tweeted: “In America and in Israel, when a strong right-wing leader wins an election, the leftist Deep State weaponizes the justice system to thwart the people’s will. They won’t win in either place! We stand strong together.” Trump’s authoritarianism is giving others cover to do the same.

This radical shift in U.S. leadership is having unintended consequences. In Canada, a Conservative victory seemed imminent—until now. In response to Trump’s resurgence, the Liberals under Mark Carney appear poised to ride an anti-Trump wave to victory. Trumpism is becoming a defining force in global politics.

Britain, in particular, must reconsider its relationship with the U.S. For most of the last century, the U.K. has depended on Washington for defense, its military and intelligence systems deeply entwined with those of the U.S. But the past two months have made one thing clear: Britain can no longer rely on a nation that behaves more like an adversary than an ally.

This realization comes with financial consequences. Britain is now entering an era of rearmament, a reality that will shape Rachel Reeves’s upcoming spring statement. Defense spending will require either deep budget cuts or higher taxes—an economic shift directly linked to Trump’s unpredictability.

But the upheaval also presents opportunities, if Britain is bold enough to seize them. Take, for instance, Trump’s assault on science. The U.S. has long been a global leader in research, but Trump and Musk are systematically dismantling that legacy, slashing funding at institutions like the National Institutes of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency. Academic freedom is under threat, with universities forced to conform to Trumpism or risk losing funding. Just this week, a French scientist traveling to the U.S. for a conference was denied entry after officials searched his phone and found private messages critical of Trump’s research policies.

This creates an opening for Britain. The EU is already working to attract U.S. scholars, but with its English-speaking advantage, the U.K. should be leading the charge. Yet, instead of capitalizing on this moment, the British government refuses to lower exorbitant visa costs for international scientists—fees that are, on average, 17 times higher than in comparable nations.

Science is just one area where Britain could step in. With Trump silencing Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, the BBC could fill the gap, enhancing British soft power at a fraction of the cost.

To navigate this new era, Britain must recognize that old assumptions no longer apply. It is absurd that, despite having Europe’s largest arms industry, the U.K. remains locked out of the EU’s €150bn (£125bn) defense procurement fund due to Brexit—yet another example of how isolationism is self-destructive in the Trump era.

Now is the time for bold leadership. Keir Starmer must have the courage to acknowledge that the world has changed and that Britain must change with it. This means preparing for difficult sacrifices to fund rearmament and confronting political taboos—including the growing public sentiment that it is time to rejoin the EU.

A new global order is taking shape. With the U.S. retreating from its historic role as a defender of democracy, Britain and Europe must step forward. The door has been thrown wide open. The only question is whether we will walk through it.