This Is Why Why Europe is finally standing up to Donald Trump
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Mar 4, 2026 
Michael Clarke, a defence and security analyst with expertise in military strategy and European defence policy. He discusses why Spain and the UK refused US base access, how leaders react to Trump’s public pressure, the growing European push for defence independence, and what capabilities Europe now prioritizes.
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Europe Publicly Pushes Back On US Military Requests
- European leaders are publicly refusing US requests for base access and bombing missions over legality and national interest concerns.
- Michael Clarke notes Spain's Pedro Sánchez and Keir Starmer rejected US-led strikes because domestic politics and memories of Iraq make support unpopular and legally fraught.
Starmer Forced Into Oval Office Photo Moment
- Michael Clarke describes the awkward ritual of foreign leaders in Trump's Oval Office, forced to smile while he improvises.
- He recounts Keir Starmer handing Trump the king's invitation letter and being staged into a TV moment.
Repeated US Gambits Created European Resolve
- European leaders are coordinated in private and increasingly assertive in public after repeated unpredictable US moves.
- Clarke cites Davos and Munich where Europe reacted strongly to Trump’s Greenland and other statements, prompting a new resolve.