A leaked US strategy reveals Trump’s plan to break up the EU, with a draft of a highly classified National Security Strategy (NSS) suggesting that the United States may be pushing for Austria, Italy, Hungary, and Poland to distance themselves from the European Union as part of a bold new geopolitical agenda under President Donald Trump.
A leaked draft of a highly classified US National Security Strategy (NSS) suggests that the United States may be pushing for Austria, Italy, Hungary and Poland to distance themselves from the European Union as part of a bold new geopolitical agenda under President Donald Trump.
According to the confidential document seen by Defence One, the full strategy — far broader and more forceful than the partial public draft — reportedly encourages the United States to work actively with political forces in those four countries that favour greater national sovereignty and closer ties to Washington, rather than continued EU integration. Sources say the memo frames the EU as a bloated and overly bureaucratic political union that, in its current form, erodes national freedom and fosters instability.
A partial 33-page draft released publicly last week sparked controversy across Europe by warning that the continent could face “civilisational erosion” due to its immigration policies and regulatory stance. The wider document goes further, outlining what amount to a strategic reset of US–Europe relations, positioning Brussels not as an ally but as a competitor in some respects.
The leaked draft reportedly urges cooperation with governments and movements that promote traditional European values and resist what it describes as “woke migration and censorship policies.” It suggests that the United States should engage directly with like-minded European partners — specifically naming Austria, Italy, Hungary and Poland — to draw them closer into the American geopolitical orbit.
The leak emerged amid escalating tensions between Washington and the EU over defence, trade and the war in Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly criticised European leaders for what he deems weak migration policies and has accused the bloc of “destroying” itself through open borders and political correctness.
At the White House, deputy press secretary Anna Kelly defended the NSS, stating:
“President Trump has signed a national security strategy that clearly directs the US government to implement established principles and priorities.”
European Reaction
The response from European leaders has been strong and mixed:
- European Council President António Costa condemned the suggestion that the US should influence political alignments within the EU, asserting that Washington “cannot replace European citizens in deciding their political future.”
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called parts of the strategy “understandable” but stressed that Europe must strengthen its strategic autonomy.
- Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk appealed for calm, emphasising that “Europe is your closest ally, not your problem.”
- Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders welcomed the report, praising Trump for confronting what he describes as the EU’s failures.
Trump’s Ties with National-Conservative Leaders
The draft’s focus on Austria, Italy, Hungary and Poland mirrors Trump’s personal rapport with several national-conservative leaders:
- He has publicly praised Hungary’s Viktor Orbán and resisted sanctions against Budapest over Russian energy imports.
- He has cultivated a strong relationship with Polish leadership.
- He has admired Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, calling her a “fantastic woman” and a transformative figure in European politics.
Some versions of the draft reportedly even recommend support for European cultural and political movements that defend traditional ways of life while remaining pro-American.
What the Broader Strategy Says
According to Defence One, the unpublished NSS does not stop with Europe. It examines a world in which unchallenged US global dominance may no longer be achievable, and floats proposals for a new strategic grouping of major powers: the Core 5 — the United States, China, Russia, India and Japan.
In essence, the strategy could signal a shift in American foreign policy — one that seeks to reshape the geopolitical landscape by engaging directly with select European governments, while redefining alliances and priorities for a more multipolar world.
