Former French President François Hollande declares the Trump-led United States “no longer an ally” to France, signaling a potential “divorce” between America and Europe as NATO tensions rise.
Top Takeaways
- François Hollande, former French President, stated that the U.S. under Trump is “no longer an ally” to France and is “consorting with our adversaries.”
- Hollande accused Trump of making pacts with adversaries while sidelining Europe, predicting a potential U.S.-European “divorce.”
- Despite Hollande’s concerns about NATO’s future under Trump, current French President Macron recently met with Trump and described them as “personal friends.”
- Hollande expressed skepticism about the NATO alliance, suggesting it should prepare for the possibility that Trump might not honor Article 5.
- Trump continues to push European nations to increase their defense spending while maintaining he has no plans to withdraw from NATO.
Former French President Raises Alarm Over U.S.-European Relations
François Hollande, who served as France’s president from 2012 to 2017, has delivered a stark assessment of transatlantic relations under President Donald Trump. In a recent interview, Hollande didn’t mince words about his concerns regarding America’s role as a traditional ally. “Even if the American people remain our friends, the Trump administration itself is no longer our ally,” Hollande stated, suggesting a fundamental shift in the relationship between the United States and its European partners that has persisted beyond Trump’s first term.
Donald Trump is “no longer an ally,” former French President François Hollande has said.https://t.co/Y3Scxf3gaL
— POLITICOEurope (@POLITICOEurope) February 28, 2025
The former French leader accused Trump of “making pacts with our adversaries” while distancing himself from traditional allies. He specifically pointed to what he sees as Trump’s preference for dealing with Russia and China at Europe’s expense. Hollande’s criticism represents one of the most direct public rebukes of Trump’s foreign policy from a former NATO nation leader, highlighting the deep concerns some European officials harbor about potential changes to America’s global posture.
NATO Alliance Under Strain
Hollande’s comments extend beyond bilateral relations to the core of the NATO alliance itself. He suggested NATO should prepare for the possibility that Trump might not honor Article 5, the collective defense provision that forms the backbone of the alliance. This represents a remarkable statement from a former leader of one of NATO’s founding members, reflecting serious doubts about the future reliability of American security guarantees that have underpinned European defense for over seven decades.
Despite these concerns, there are no concrete indications that the United States plans to withdraw from NATO. Trump has consistently pushed European nations to increase their defense spending to meet the alliance’s 2% of GDP target, a position that has actually resulted in higher defense budgets across Europe. The pressure for greater burden-sharing, while controversial in its delivery, has arguably strengthened NATO’s overall capability by compelling European members to invest more in their own defense capabilities.
Contrasting Approaches to Trump
Hollande’s stark assessment stands in contrast to the approach taken by current French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently visited Washington and described himself and Trump as “personal friends.” Hollande criticized Macron’s diplomatic strategy, suggesting that a solo visit to Washington would be less effective than a coordinated approach with other European leaders. He specifically questioned the “seduction and argumentation” approach to dealing with Trump, implying such tactics would ultimately prove ineffective.
Hollande’s critique comes from his own experience in international diplomacy. During his presidency, he was involved in brokering the Minsk agreements intended to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine—efforts that ultimately failed to prevent further Russian aggression. Now serving as a member of the French parliament, Hollande is mentioned as a potential candidate for the 2027 French presidential election, giving his comments added political significance in the current European debate about relations with the United States.
Future of Transatlantic Relations
For his part, Trump has publicly expressed his desire to maintain strong relations with France. During Macron’s recent visit, Trump described their longstanding relationship and indicated his commitment to the Franco-American partnership. Macron emphasized Europe’s willingness to be a stronger partner in defense, security, and trade—suggesting that European leaders recognize the need to adapt to changing American expectations regardless of who occupies the White House.
Hollande’s warning of a potential “divorce” between Europe and the United States represents the most severe interpretation of current transatlantic tensions. His comments about Trump’s statements on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and potential talks with Russian President Putin reflect concerns about shifts in American foreign policy priorities that could fundamentally alter the post-World War II security architecture. Whether these fears materialize will depend largely on how America’s role in NATO evolves in the coming years.
