Trump on brink as Europe plans ‘nuclear option’ if US sells out Ukraine
Trump has fuelled fears among European politicians that the White House is preparing to sacrifice the continent’s security in exchange for US economic gain.
Share Article
By John Varga, World News Reporter
Starmer and Trump agree to work together on Ukraine plan
DeeperDive
Which EU nation is ‘soft underbelly’?
How much US debt do EU/UK hold?
Which EU nation is ‘soft underbelly’?
What impact did Kyiv attack have?
European states are considering adopting the “nuclear option” of sinking the US economy, if Donald Trump sells out Ukraine and endangers security on the continent. Talks between US and Ukrainian officials continued on Sunday in Miami, as both sides attempt to thrash out a peace deal.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s Russia envoy Steve Witkoff attended the meeting, along with the US President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Following the “fragile” talks, the US President told reporters on board Air Force One that there was “a good chance we can make a deal”. However, European leaders remain suspicious that Trump is rushing towards a geopolitical deal with Vladimir Putin, while paying little heed to the security concerns of NATO allies.
DON’T MISS
READ MORE: Putin to meet Trump envoy hours after Russia’s weekend bombardment of Ukraine
READ MORE: Trump makes major MRI results update amid health fears
Donald Trump is facing a furious European backlash (Image: Getty)
The latest news from around the world Subscribe
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Donald Trump meets European leaders at a G7 meeting (Image: Getty)
The Wall Street Journal reports a European intelligence service has circulated internal assessments about “commercial and economic plans” the Trump team has been exploring with Russia behind closed doors.
This has reportedly fuelled fears among European politicians that the White House is preparing to sacrifice the continent’s security in exchange for its own economic gain.
Sources told the WSJ that European leaders are considering adopting extreme countermeasures in retaliation, designed to unleash economic chaos in the US.
The alleged plan involves dumping trillions in US government debt owned by European states.
A rapid sell off would likely cause a crash in the value of the US dollar, create a liquidity criss across the banking system and cause a huge spike in borrowing costs. It would also lock the American financial sector into a paralysis more severe than the 2008 crisis.
A leading European economist told the WSJ described the plan as a potential financial whiplash that could hit the US harder than any external shock in modern history.
Most Popular Comments
Join The Debate
1st37Most liked comment • over 1 day ago“Will our politicians have the balls to even threat US to dump bonds ? I suspect no because they have …”Read • Reply
2nd27Most liked comment • over 1 day ago“America is a super power, Brussels is a minor talking shop. “Read • Reply- 3rd25Most liked comment • over 1 day ago“I wish the UK would stop aligning with the EU . Ultimately I prefer …”Read • Reply
The political consequences would likely be disastrous for Trump and the Republicans as the midterm elections approach next year.
The EU and the UK are among the largest holders of US Treasury securities (US debt), which gives them significant potential economic leverage.
As of December 2024, the United Kingdom holds an estimated $722.7 billion in US debt.
The European Union member countries collectively hold an estimated $1.62 trillion.
Combined, this is approximately $2.34 trillion, making the EU/UK bloc one of the single largest foreign holders of US debt.
DONALD TRUMP© Getty
European nations are reportedly weighing the “nuclear option” of destabilizing the American economy should Donald Trump abandon Ukraine and compromise continental security. Discussions between American and Ukrainian representatives resumed Sunday in Miami, with both parties working to hammer out a peace agreement.
·
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s Russia envoy Steve Witkoff participated in the session, alongside the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. After the “fragile” negotiations, the President informed journalists aboard Air Force One that there was “a good chance we can make a deal”.
Yet European leadership remains wary that Trump is hastening toward a geopolitical arrangement with Vladimir Putin while disregarding NATO allies‘ security interests.
- NATO member issues stern warning to Russia after repeated breaches
- GOP rep warns White House lacks ‘moral clarity’ on Ukraine
DONALD TRUMP© Getty
The Wall Street Journal reveals a European intelligence agency has distributed internal evaluations regarding “commercial and economic plans” the Trump administration has been pursuing with Russia in private discussions.
This has allegedly intensified concerns among European officials that the White House is poised to compromise the continent’s safety for American economic advantage.
Insiders informed the WSJ that European leaders are weighing severe countermeasures in response, calculated to trigger economic turmoil across the United States. The proposed strategy includes liquidating trillions in American government bonds held by European governments.
Steve Witkoff Visits© Getty
A swift sell-off could potentially trigger a crash in the value of the US dollar, instigate a liquidity crisis across the banking system, and cause a significant surge in borrowing costs.
It could also plunge the American financial sector into a paralysis more severe than the 2008 crisis. A prominent European economist described the plan to the WSJ as a potential financial backlash that could hit the US harder than any external shock in modern history.Related video: Europe ‘already formidable enough to deter any aggression even without the United States’ (France24 – Video)
Spotlights certainly landing on tensions between all the alliances.
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration 13:06
Europe ‘already formidable enough to deter any aggression even without the United States’
0
The political fallout could be catastrophic for Trump and the Republicans as the midterm elections loom next year. The EU and the UK, being among the largest holders of US Treasury securities (US debt), wield considerable potential economic leverage.
As of December 2024, the United Kingdom holds an estimated $722.7 billion in US debt.
The European Union member countries collectively hold an estimated $1.62 trillion.
Combined, this amounts to approximately $2.34 trillion, making the EU/UK bloc one of the single largest foreign holders of US debt.
