"Europe’s Nuclear Taboo Was the Stupidity of the Century"

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, speaking at “The Future of Europe” event organized by De Tijd and L’Echo, delivered unusually blunt remarks on U.S. President Donald Trump, the future of transatlantic ties, the war in Ukraine, and Europe’s own strategic failures, warning that Europe is entering a far more dangerous geopolitical era.

“Trump Doesn’t Love Europe”

Reflecting on his meeting with President Trump, De Wever described himself as deeply pro-American but warned that alliances require mutual respect.

“I’m the most pro-American guy you can find,” he said, adding that partnerships cannot survive if one side threatens the other. He confirmed that European leaders clearly conveyed their concerns to Trump but declined to reveal how the president responded, joking that he does not expect a White House invitation anytime soon.

De Wever said failing to draw red lines when allies are threatened undermines the credibility of any alliance.

De Wever accused Trump of fundamentally opposing the idea of the European Union itself.

“When he says he loves Europe, he actually means he loves 27 separate countries,” De Wever said, arguing that Trump prefers a divided Europe dependent on U.S. power rather than a unified bloc capable of standing on its own.

According to De Wever, the EU’s combined economy is the only entity large enough to counterbalance U.S. pressure — a reality he believes Trump resents.

From Reagan to Gunboats: The End of the 1980s Illusion

De Wever said Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine initially reminded him of the Cold War, when the U.S. openly defended democratic allies against authoritarian aggression.

Instead, he said, Europe witnessed an American administration unwilling to take sides between Moscow and Kyiv.

“When tyranny invades democracy and the U.S. says it does not take sides, you know you are not in the 1980s — you are in the 1880s,” he said, describing the moment as a return to imperial spheres of influence and gunboat diplomacy.

While acknowledging that this phase could end after Trump, De Wever warned Europe cannot base its security on that assumption.

“The Big Stick Turns on Europe”

De Wever said Europe has long relied on U.S. power for its security but now faces a new reality.

“We depended on the big stick of the United States,” he said. “Now we see that the man with the big stick can also use it against us.”

He described this shift as unprecedented and called it a strategic turning point for Europe.

“The Stupidity of the Century”

Turning inward, De Wever offered rare self-criticism of European policy choices.

He said Europe’s rejection of nuclear energy was “the stupidity of the century,” acknowledging that the continent is still struggling to reverse the consequences of that decision and continues to make ideologically driven choices.

“Immigration Failure Fuels the Far Right”

On immigration, De Wever said Europe acted foolishly by failing to prioritize labor-market needs.

“We need immigrants,” he said, “but we need the right kind of immigrants — active immigrants who strengthen our economy.” Instead, he argued, Europe has attracted large numbers of migrants who strain social systems, fueling support for far-right movements.