Senior diplomats express alarm over Vice President JD Vance’s leaked remarks reflecting disdain for Europe, raising fears of a growing rift in US and European relations.
Concerns surrounding US Vice President JD Vance have escalated among senior diplomats following the release of a series of leaked messages that reveal sentiments of resentment towards Europe. Diplomats have described him as potentially ‘the most dangerous man in the White House,’ amid fears that he is intent on driving a wedge between the United States and European allies.
The incident came to light after a group chat, initially intended for US officials, inadvertently included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of Atlantic magazine. This exchange, shared publicly, explored military strategies concerning Houthi rebels in Yemen, which were aimed at securing trade routes through the Suez Canal. In these messages, Vice President Vance voiced his frustration, stating, “I just hate bailing Europe out again.” This sentiment was echoed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who commented, “I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC.”
European officials reacted with alarm, with one diplomat describing the communications as “horrific to see in black and white,” but not surprising given the prevailing tensions in US-European relations. The diplomat indicated that such revelations have made European leaders feel “sick to their stomach.” The chat highlighted a stark contrast in interests, with Vance noting that only 3% of US trade traverses the Suez Canal, in stark comparison to 40% for Europe.
In a separate context, the UK’s position as an ally has come under scrutiny, with the British government rebuffing allegations of freeloading by reaffirming its contributions to joint military efforts. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak referenced Britain’s support for US-led operations against groups in the Middle East, including providing air-to-air refuelling for recent strikes against Houthi targets.
The discord extends beyond military expenditures, as Vance’s prior comments at a Munich Security Conference drew further ire from European leaders. He accused the continent of having misplaced values, stating, “The enemy from within,” and criticized Europe for prioritising issues like online censorship over defence. This sentiment coincides with broader concerns among European nations about their reliance on the US for security since World War II, with many countries increasing their defence commitments due to pressure from previous US administrations.
As tensions simmer, European diplomats are grappling with the implications of Vance’s apparent disdain for their countries. One EU official noted that the current climate raises questions about the reliability of the US as an ally in a time of escalating geopolitical challenges, including a resurgent Russia.
The situation has created another diplomatic headache for policymakers, who are navigating the increasingly complex landscape of transatlantic relations, marked by Vance’s contentious communication and broader anxieties regarding the US’s commitment to its European allies.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://thedispatch.com/article/jd-vance-houthi-atlantic-messages-europe/ – This article details Vice President JD Vance’s hostility towards Europe, as revealed in leaked messages regarding the Houthi strikes in Yemen, where he expressed skepticism about interventions benefiting European interests more than those of the U.S.
- https://news.sky.com/story/pathetic-european-free-loading-what-was-said-in-leaked-group-chat-13335365 – This report provides insights into the leaked group chat involving senior U.S. officials, including JD Vance and Pete Hegseth, where they shared views criticizing European dependency on U.S. military interventions.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source likely provides the initial report on concerns about Vice President JD Vance’s views on Europe, though specific content is not accessible without subscription or further details.
- https://www.munich-conference.de/en/ – The Munich Security Conference is referenced in discussions about Vice President JD Vance’s comments on European values and defense priorities, though direct links to his speech are not provided here.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe- – BBC World service may provide additional context on European reactions to political developments involving U.S. figures like JD Vance, though the exact article is not specified.
- https://www.economist.com/ – The Economist often covers global political trends, including transatlantic relations and the implications of U.S. diplomatic shifts, such as those influenced by JD Vance’s views.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative does not indicate obvious outdated information, but verifying the recentness of the leaked messages and ensuring they reflect current positions could improve the score.
Quotes check
Score:
4
Notes:
The quotes seem to be specific to the incident but could not be independently verified through other online sources. They appear original to this context, but confirmation from earlier sources is lacking.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Star, which is a known publication. However, its reputation for reliability varies compared to more established sources like the BBC.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about diplomatic tensions and leaked messages are plausible in the current geopolitical climate, especially considering previous tensions between the US and Europe.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
While the narrative is plausible and recent, some aspects, like the quotes and source credibility, raise cautious considerations. Further verification of specific details would be beneficial to confirm accuracy.
