Greenland spat most recent disagreement between US and EU | US | News
This dispute between the US and Europe is not the first time the allies have been at odds. Fights have flared up occasionally since World War II.
Here’s a look at some of the most notable disagreements.
Suez Canal crisis
France, Britain and Israel invaded Egypt in 1956 with the aim of overthrowing Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser and regaining control of the Suez Canal. The US applied heavy diplomatic and economic pressure to stop this; This strained Washington’s relations with its key Cold War allies, London and Paris.
Vietnam War
European countries except France provided diplomatic support to the United States but refused to provide troops. Protests against the war in Europe had political costs for governments on the continent. Europe had to balance its support for the United States with its declining popularity at home.
Euromissile crisis
Russia has deployed new SS-20 missiles that can quickly hit targets in Western Europe. This forced NATO to deploy US Pershing nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles and cruise missiles to Europe to maintain the balance of nuclear weapons threats. This caused turmoil in Europe, where concerns about a new arms race deepened. Anti-nuclear peace demonstrations were held in European capitals in the 1980s, with the focus often on Washington.
Iraq invasion
The US invasion of Iraq in 2003 caused a major crisis in relations with Europe. Relations were seen to be tense, especially with France and Germany, who refused to support the attack on the government of President Saddam Hussein. Washington officials rebuked Paris and Berlin.
outstanding presentation
The USA captured and sometimes abducted suspects as part of the “fight against terrorism”. Suspects were transported to locations where they were interrogated and often subjected to torture beyond the reach of U.S. law. Public outcry forced political leaders across Europe to condemn the practice, but some European governments were complicit in the program.
Russia-Ukraine conflict
Trump’s return to office in January 2025 changed three-year US policy towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump was warmer towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, colder towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and reduced US military aid to Kiev. This worried European leaders, who saw their own security at risk in Ukraine. European leaders pressured Trump to side with Ukraine.
national security posture
Last December, the Trump administration portrayed its European allies as weak in a new national security strategy. Washington has criticized Europe’s immigration and freedom of expression policies and cast doubt on their long-term reliability as U.S. partners.
recipe war
Trump threatened Europe with heavy trade tariffs last July after relations with the once solid partnership deteriorated. This was perceived as an extremely hostile move. The US president first announced that he would impose a 30% tariff on the European Union, the US’s largest trading partner. Both sides then agreed to a trade framework that included a 15 percent tariff on most goods.
