NYT: Europe is trying to use Trump's own tactics against him

After the start of the US war against Iran, European leaders are increasingly publicly arguing with Trump - and, importantly, not apologizing to him even after Washington's harsh reaction.

The reason for the NYT article was the statements of German Chancellor Merz, who criticized US actions against Iran and said that Washington "does not have a strategy". Shortly after this, the Pentagon unexpectedly announced the withdrawal of 5,000 American military personnel from Germany.

However, Merz did not retract his words, the publication notes:

"We have different views on this war, and that's no secret."

According to NYT, European leaders are increasingly using Trump's own political model against him - not backing down, not apologizing, and responding to pressure with even harsher rhetoric.

The article notes that Trump himself has been building a political image of a man who never admits mistakes and never apologizes for years - from attacks on John McCain to the conflict with Pope Leo XIV.

Against this backdrop, British Prime Minister Starmer publicly stated that he was "tired" of Trump's pressure, George Meloni called his attacks on the Pope "unacceptable", and Merz himself refused to soften his words even after Washington's threats to reduce the American military presence in Germany.

At the same time, analysts note that Europeans are deliberately going into confrontation, understanding that Trump only respects toughness and perceives concessions as weakness.

t.me/ForeignAgentIntel