London — “I have a great appreciation for European people,” Vice President JD Vance stated in an interview with a U.K.-based news platform this week, sharing his views on various topics concerning U.S.-European relations. While the vice president highlighted the historical cultural ties between the U.S. and Europe, he reinforced the stance of the Trump administration that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security amidst emerging threats and not rely on the U.S. as a “security vassal.”
The discussion with the UnHerd news outlet touched on security, tariffs, trade matters, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as reported by the outlet following its interview with Vance. Below are some significant comments made by the vice president on these issues.
Vance on U.S.-European relationships and security
“I’ve consistently remarked that American culture cannot be divorced from European culture. We are profoundly shaped by the philosophies, theologies, and migration patterns originating from Europe that brought forth the United States of America,” Vance was quoted as saying to UnHerd.
UnHerd was established by billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Marshall, who also owns the right-leaning U.K. commentary magazine, The Spectator, and co-owns GB News, which is aiming to be a British equivalent of Fox News.
“It is not beneficial for Europe to be a perpetual security dependent of the United States,” Vance told the outlet, adding that he believes Europe’s growing independence in security matters could also benefit the U.S., referencing the Iraq invasion as a scenario where a more assertive partner could have aided Washington.
“On a personal note: I believe many European nations had valid concerns about our invasion of Iraq,” remarked Vance, a former U.S. Marine who served for four years, including as a military news reporter in Iraq. “If European nations had displayed more independence and resilience, perhaps we could have avoided the significant global fallout from the American-led invasion of Iraq.”
Vance reiterated his administration’s frequent critiques of the current military capabilities of European countries.
“The reality is, and while it may be blunt to state, it’s also valid — Europe’s entire security framework has been financially supported by the United States for as long as I can remember,” Vance asserted. “Most European nations lack militaries capable of ensuring their own reasonable defense.”
Vance on the conflict in Ukraine
Vance, who criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an intense meeting with President Trump earlier this year, dismissed claims that the Trump administration has furthered Russian narratives regarding the war initiated by Vladimir Putin over three years ago.
“I find it quite absurd for Zelenskyy to assert that the [American] government, which is actively supporting his entire government and war efforts, is somehow aligned with the Russians,” Vance stated.
Vance explained to UnHerd that “it’s essential to recognize strategically that to resolve the conflict, one must understand the strategic objectives of both the Russians and the Ukrainians. This doesn’t equate to morally endorsing the Russian cause or supporting the full-scale invasion, but one must appreciate their strategic boundaries, just as one must comprehend what the Ukrainians aim to achieve from the conflict.”
Vance on the repercussions of Trump’s tariffs
According to UnHerd, Vance stated that in the long run, “our goal is to reduce trade deficits across the board.”
“At times, a trade deficit is reasonable,” Vance noted. “For instance, the U.S. doesn’t produce bananas, so importing them makes sense instead of exporting.” He continued, “However, broadly speaking, the current global trading system has resulted in substantial and persistent trade deficits across various product categories, with most countries relying on the U.S. to absorb their surplus exports. This has harmed us, negatively impacted American manufacturers, and affected workers. Moreover, in the event of a future conflict, it would be detrimental for American troops.”
Mr. Trump’s tariffs caused significant declines in global stock markets, and while some losses have been recovered, analysts caution that the trade war will continue to introduce volatility in the markets. Vance acknowledged this turmoil but reiterated the administration’s position that some disruption is a necessary sacrifice for fundamentally reforming the global trading system.
“The implementation of any new system is inevitably going to cause fluctuations in financial markets,” he conveyed to UnHerd. “The President has consistently maintained that this is a long-term strategy.”
However, Vance also suggested a flexibility that was not initially indicated by Mr. Trump and his close aides when the tariffs were first announced.
“Naturally, we must consider the feedback from the business community, from workers, and from bond markets. These are all variables that need our attention to ensure policy success,” he stated.
Specifically regarding the U.K., Vance mentioned that the U.S. is striving for a trade agreement with its longstanding ally, hinting that there is “a favorable possibility” for it to be realized.
“We are certainly working diligently with Keir Starmer’s government,” Vance told UnHerd. “The President has a deep fondness for the United Kingdom. He admired the queen and holds great respect for the king. This relationship is extremely significant. Additionally, he is a businessman with many important connections in [the U.K.]. However, it extends far beyond that; there is a genuine cultural affinity, and fundamentally, America is an Anglo country.”
He noted that other European nations experience more pronounced trade deficits with the U.S., making a comprehensive agreement with the European Union or its 27 member states more challenging.
“With the United Kingdom, we have a more mutually beneficial relationship than we do with, for example, Germany,” Vance remarked. “While we appreciate the Germans, they heavily rely on exporting to the U.S. yet have stringent regulations against many American businesses wishing to export into Germany.”
