US Vice President JD Vance sparked controversy during his first international trip as he criticized European leaders for what he described as rollbacks on free speech, lax migration policies, and insufficient defense commitments. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Vance signaled a shift in the US relationship with its European allies under President Donald Trump’s leadership. He accused European leaders of censoring social media, interfering in elections, and violating religious rights, particularly those of Christians. Vance argued that such actions undermine democracy, stating, “Shutting down media, shutting down elections, or shutting people out of the political process protects nothing. In fact, it is the most surefire way to destroy democracy.”
Vance’s remarks drew swift criticism, particularly from German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who called his claims unacceptable. Pistorius defended Europe’s democratic values and noted that the far-right, anti-immigration party Alternative for Germany (AfD), which Vance criticized for being politically isolated, has been able to campaign and spread its message freely. Pistorius emphasized that democracy must defend itself against extremists who seek to destroy it. Despite the backlash, Vance doubled down on his criticisms, accusing European leaders of silencing dissenting voices and hiding behind terms like “misinformation” and “disinformation” to suppress alternative viewpoints.
During his speech, Vance singled out several European countries for criticism. He condemned Romania for canceling its elections over alleged Russian meddling and criticized Sweden for convicting an activist of a hate crime for burning the Quran. He also accused the UK of violating religious rights by arresting an activist who refused to leave a protected area outside an abortion clinic. Vance’s criticisms were not limited to individual countries; he also targeted Germany’s political establishment for its decision to exclude the AfD from mainstream political dialogue. He argued that such “firewalls” against certain political groups undermine democracy, stating, “Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters. There’s no room for firewalls.”
Vance also used his platform to emphasize the urgency of addressing mass migration, which he described as one of the most pressing challenges facing European nations. He pointed to a recent car-ramming attack in Munich, carried out by a 24-year-old Afghan man, as an example of the dangers of unchecked immigration. Vance questioned how many such incidents must occur before European leaders change course, asking, “No voter on this continent went to the ballot box to open the floodgates to millions of unvetted immigrants.” His comments reflected a broader anti-immigrant rhetoric that has been a hallmark of the Trump administration’s policies.
Vance’s trip to Europe came amid a broader reset in US-Europe relations under Trump’s second term. Trump has implemented sweeping changes, including a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports from Europe and reciprocal tariffs on countries deemed to have unequal trade ties with the US. Additionally, Trump has sought to drive negotiations for an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, raising concerns that European countries and Ukraine could be sidelined in discussions. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also stated that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO or regain lost territory, a stance critics view as a concession to Moscow.
Despite the tensions, Vance’s visit included meetings with key European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Vance renewed calls for European countries to increase their defense spending, with the Trump administration pushing for NATO members to spend 5% of their GDP on defense. Currently, many countries struggle to meet the 2% commitment, while the US allocates approximately 3.4% of its GDP to defense. Vance emphasized the need for greater burden-sharing in Europe, allowing the US to focus on other priorities, particularly in Asia.
