European leaders quiet over Hegseth, Vance ‘loathing’ text exchange

European leaders were notably silent on Tuesday following the text exchange between Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, who noted their “loathing” of their long-standing allies. The exchange revealed a deep-seated frustration within the U.S. government regarding the perceived lack of contribution from European nations in security efforts in the Red Sea.

In response to Vance’s questioning of U.S. leadership in countering Houthi aggression and securing shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Hegseth expressed his agreement with Vance’s sentiment, calling European free-loading “PATHETIC.” This exchange highlighted the growing tensions between the U.S. and its European allies, particularly in the context of security and defense cooperation.

The Trump administration’s decision to ramp up strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist group in Yemen, following a series of attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, further exacerbated the strain on transatlantic relations. Vance’s criticism of Europe’s reliance on the U.S. for security support underscored the need for greater burden-sharing among NATO allies.

Despite the inflammatory nature of the text exchange, European leaders refrained from publicly responding to the comments made by Hegseth and Vance. This silence may indicate a strategic decision to avoid escalating tensions with the U.S. administration, which has been openly critical of European allies’ defense spending and military capabilities.

Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, emphasized the reality of European dependence on the U.S. for security assistance, particularly in dealing with terrorist threats like the Houthis. He noted that Europe’s military capacities are limited compared to the U.S., highlighting the need for greater investment in defense and security capabilities.

While some British lawmakers criticized the Trump administration’s approach as “extortion” of allies, others emphasized the importance of continued cooperation with the U.S. in addressing security challenges in the Red Sea. The U.K. and France, key allies in countering Houthi aggression, reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with Washington on defense and security matters.

In conclusion, the text exchange between Hegseth and Vance revealed underlying tensions between the U.S. and its European allies over burden-sharing and security cooperation. Despite the lack of public response from European leaders, the need for greater collaboration and investment in defense capabilities remains a pressing issue for transatlantic relations.