Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever issued a stark warning to former U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland today, urging Europe to stand firm against what he described as “unprecedented” threats against NATO allies.
Speaking to reporters in Davos, De Wever struck a defiant tone, saying Europe must be prepared to assert itself in the face of Washington’s increasingly combative messaging. “We as Europe must tell Trump: this far and no further. ‘Back down,’ or we’ll go all the way,” he said.
The Belgian leader argued that Europe needs to boost its defense spending and strengthen its collective security posture amid renewed uncertainty over U.S. commitments to NATO. His comments came after recent statements from Trump suggesting possible U.S. military actions in NATO member states under certain conditions, a position De Wever described as dangerously destabilizing.
“Threatening NATO allies with military intervention on NATO territory is so unprecedented that you are really approaching a breaking point,” he warned. “Being a happy vassal is one thing. Being a miserable slave is something else.”
De Wever’s remarks reflect a growing chorus of European leaders calling for greater strategic autonomy and reinforced defense cooperation, as transatlantic tensions over security and trade continue to mount in the run-up to the U.S. elections.
