The current diplomatic friction between the United States and European powers regarding Greenland’s future represents merely the latest chapter in a long history of trans-Atlantic disagreements. Since the conclusion of World War II, these strategic allies have experienced numerous profound crises that have periodically strained their partnership. Here we examine seven significant historical fractures that have tested the Western alliance.
The 1956 Suez Crisis marked a pivotal moment when the United States employed substantial diplomatic and economic pressure against its closest Cold War allies. As France, the United Kingdom, and Israel invaded Egypt to depose President Gamal Abdel Nasser and reclaim control of the strategic Suez Canal, Washington’s intervention not only halted the military campaign but also dramatically accelerated Europe’s declining global influence in the postwar era.
During the Vietnam War, European nations demonstrated limited solidarity with American military efforts. While providing diplomatic support (with France as the notable exception), European governments uniformly refused to contribute troops. Widespread street protests across the continent created significant political challenges for European leaders, who struggled to balance their support for Washington against eroding domestic popularity.
The Euromissile Crisis of the 1980s emerged when Soviet deployment of SS-20 missiles capable of striking Western European targets prompted NATO to install American Pershing nuclear missiles across Europe. This escalation triggered massive anti-nuclear demonstrations throughout European capitals, with protestors frequently directing their anger toward Washington amid fears of a renewed arms race.
The 2003 invasion of Iraq created perhaps the most visible rift in modern trans-Atlantic relations. France and Germany’s refusal to support the campaign against Saddam Hussein’s government prompted sharp rebukes from Washington officials. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s characterization of these nations as ‘Old Europe’ while praising Eastern European countries as ‘New Europe’ highlighted the deepening division.
The controversial ‘extraordinary rendition’ program during the war on terror saw the United States capturing and transferring terror suspects to third countries for interrogation using techniques often considered torture. While some European governments secretly cooperated with this program, public revelation forced political leaders to publicly denounce these practices.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has introduced fresh tensions, particularly with President Trump’s return to office in January 2025. His administration dramatically reversed previous American policy by expressing warmth toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, adopting a cool stance toward Ukrainian leadership, and significantly reducing military assistance to Kyiv. European leaders, viewing their security as directly threatened, have urgently pressed for renewed American support.
Finally, the Trump administration’s national security strategy document released last December explicitly characterized European allies as weak partners, criticizing their migration and free speech policies while questioning their long-term reliability. This assessment, coupled with threats of heavy trade tariffs against EU nations—America’s largest trading partner—has further strained relations, though both sides eventually agreed to a framework establishing 15% tariffs on most goods.
