US President Donald Trump is set to hold crucial talks this week with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, amid deepening uncertainty over the future of transatlantic relations. As Trump reshapes American foreign policy, his administration’s stance on Ukraine, European security, and trade deals has raised alarm in European capitals.
Macron will meet Trump at the White House on Monday, coinciding with the three-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while Starmer is scheduled for talks on Thursday. Both leaders are expected to push for greater US commitment to European security and cooperation in ending the war in Ukraine. However, Trump’s recent demands for control over Greenland, parts of Canada, Gaza, and Ukraine’s rare earth minerals have added to tensions.
A shift in US Foreign policy
Just over a month into his second term, Trump has signalled a drastic departure from the traditional post-World War II US-led global order. Former American diplomats fear that decades of stability could be undone if Trump continues on this path.
“The only conclusion you can draw is that 80 years of policy in standing up against aggressors has just been blown up without any sort of discussion or reflection,” said Ian Kelly, a former US ambassador to Georgia.
Trump has repeatedly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for failing to negotiate an end to the war. He has also dismissed concerns from European allies over his administration’s direct talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia—talks that excluded both Ukrainian and European representatives.
Disputes over Ukraine and rare earth minerals
One of the most contentious issues expected to dominate discussions is the future of US-Ukraine relations. Trump has pushed for a deal granting American access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals—essential for industries such as aerospace and technology—in exchange for continued support. Zelenskyy, however, has expressed reservations, arguing that the proposal lacks solid security guarantees for Ukraine.
On social media, Zelenskyy stated, “We are making great progress, but we want a good economic deal that will be part of a true security guarantee system for Ukraine.”
Trump officials believe a deal could be finalised this week, tying the Ukrainian and American economies closer together—something that Russia strongly opposes. But the negotiations have led to a public spat, with Trump calling Zelenskyy a “dictator” and falsely accusing Ukraine of initiating the war.
Zelenskyy, in response, suggested that Trump is “living in a Russian-made disinformation space.” His remarks angered the US president, further complicating diplomatic efforts. Analysts warn that directly confronting Trump may not be the best approach.
“The response to President Trump doing something to you is not to react immediately. That tends to provoke an even stronger response,” said retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, a former foreign policy adviser to the late Senator John McCain.
European concerns over US-Russia relations
European leaders have also been troubled by Trump’s apparent willingness to accommodate Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has suggested that Russia should be allowed to rejoin the Group of Seven (G7) major economies, reversing its suspension following the 2014 annexation of Crimea.
Macron is expected to warn Trump that showing weakness towards Putin could have long-term consequences, not just for Ukraine but also for the US’s global standing—particularly in its rivalry with China.
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“You can’t be weak in the face of President Putin. It’s not you, it’s not your trademark, it’s not in your interest,” Macron posted on social media. “How can you then be credible in the face of China if you’re weak in the face of Putin?”
Trump, however, has defended his approach, arguing that Putin “wants to make a deal” but does not “have to make a deal” because “if he wanted, he would get the whole country.”
A diplomatic test for Macron and Starmer
Macron and Starmer now face the delicate task of engaging with Trump while maintaining European unity. The UK prime minister, fresh from an election victory, has pledged to “rebuild trust” with the US. But with Trump’s unpredictable approach, both leaders will have to navigate a diplomatic minefield.
Robert Wood, a retired US diplomat, warned that the US administration should reconsider its current course.
“The administration should consider going in a different direction because this isn’t going to work,” he said. “Let’s not kid ourselves: Russia started this war, and trying to rewrite the narrative isn’t going to serve the best interests of the US or our allies.”
As uncertainty looms over the future of US-Europe ties, this week’s meetings will be crucial in determining whether Trump and his European counterparts can find common ground—or if the transatlantic alliance is set for further division.
