The relationship between the United States and Europe, once considered a stable pillar of global affairs, has become increasingly strained during President Donald Trump's second term. While initial cooperation and pragmatic approaches to issues like Ukraine marked the early period, tensions escalated over policy disagreements, culminating in travel bans on European officials. The economic and historical ties between the two regions remain vital, with mutual trade and investment supporting millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Three main points of contention now threaten the transatlantic partnership: diverging strategies on Ukraine, Trump's preference for bilateral over institutional engagement, and a growing perception in Europe that Washington undervalues its role. These divisions are deepened by differing national interests within Europe and skepticism toward European institutions among Trump's advisors. As domestic politics take center stage in the United States, both sides must find pragmatic solutions to preserve this crucial alliance in a challenging year ahead.