Rising U.S. Right-Wing Skepticism Clouds Prospects for EU Trade Talks

The populist right in the United States is known for its hallmark slogans, opposition to immigration, and strong support for tax cuts.

However, an underlying theme has been emerging within Republican rhetoric for several years — a critical stance toward the European Union that is now gaining prominence on the international stage, with the potential to alter alliances and global trade dynamics.

This deep-seated skepticism toward the EU is not limited to President Trump, who has openly claimed that the union was created to exploit America. It also extends to other prominent figures on the right, including Vice President JD Vance, who recently accused Europe of abandoning its core values, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who disparagingly referred to U.S. continental allies in private messages.

Such views are frequently echoed in conservative media. For instance, Laura Ingraham, a well-known conservative broadcaster, has criticized European policies on climate change as potentially catastrophic for economic stability, and highlighted fundamental differences in attitudes toward free speech and gun rights — rights fiercely protected in the U.S. but more restricted in Europe.

These sentiments also surface in opinion pieces, such as one recent commentary describing European negotiators as slow and ineffective, suggesting that trade talks might result in little progress amid leisurely diplomatic gestures.