Introduction: A Bold Warning to Europe
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has issued a stark warning to the European Union’s leadership, asserting that the bloc’s greatest threat in 2025 stems not from external powers like Russia or China, but from its own internal policy failures. Speaking in an interview with Rob Schmitt of Newsmax on Thursday, Vance highlighted Europe’s struggles with migration, defense spending, and political opposition as critical vulnerabilities.
Internal Threats Over External Foes
Vance emphasized that the EU’s challenges are self-inflicted. “We have to appreciate that the greatest threat to Europe is not China or Russia,” he said, as reported by RT. “The greatest threat to Europe is from within. It’s migration policies that destroy the fundamental cultural bedrock of Europe. It’s economic policies that make them less competitive.” He criticized the EU for spending only 1% of GDP on defense while relying heavily on Russian gas, contrasting this with the U.S.’s 3-4% GDP defense allocation.
Democratic Norms Under Fire
Vance also took aim at Europe’s political direction, arguing it is drifting from democratic norms. “The rhetoric in Europe just doesn’t match the reality,” he stated, pointing to the treatment of opposition figures like France’s Marine Le Pen. He accused the EU establishment of targeting her with minor charges to undermine her candidacy, saying, “That’s not democracy.” Such actions, he warned, strain the transatlantic alliance.
A Stressed Transatlantic Bond
While reaffirming the U.S.’s alliance with Europe, Vance cautioned that ongoing internal issues could test this relationship. “We want our friends to share our values,” he said. “But that relationship is gonna get stressed if they keep trying to throw opposition leaders in jail and stop respecting their own borders.” His comments signal a U.S. push for Europe to address these vulnerabilities in 2025.