The apparent lack of broad European support for the U.S. strikes on Iran signals the continent could be approaching a turning point by deciding whether it will maintain economic dependence on Washington or Beijing — or take matters into its own hands.

The tension comes as U.S. allies in Europe seek out China to discuss possible de-escalation in the Middle East while rejecting logistical requests from Washington, due in part to the United States’ recent foreign policy decisions.

President Donald Trump has engaged in direct military action against two of China’s allies in 2026 so far, and several European countries have been hesitant to support America’s actions in both instances.

Trump’s actions against Iran and Venezuela were both met with resistance from several European leaders. The European Union (EU) now seeks to push legislation to economically distance itself from the United States and China, while the latter fights to maintain its second-place grip on the continent.

After the U.S. captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in January, French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for the EU to reject “new colonialism,” claiming the U.S. is turning from its allies.

The United Kingdom initially refused to grant the U.S. access to a strategic base for its February joint-Israeli strikes on Iran. Although Prime Minister Keir Starmer eventually allowed the U.S. access to the base for “specific and limited defensive purposes,” Trump told the Telegraph he was “very disappointed” in the prime minister.

Trump later told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a White House meeting that Spain and the U.K. have been “very, very uncooperative,” Politico reported.

US President Donald Trump meets with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on March 3, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)

Spain has pulled back even further, forbidding the U.S. from using any of its bases in the region — a move that Trump seemed to suggest the U.S. could ignore.

“We could use their base if we want,” Trump said, according to Politico. “We could just fly in and use it. Nobody’s going to tell us not to use it.”

Trump recently warned of a possible trade embargo on Spain, the BBC reported.

After a weekend of strikes against Iran, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had a phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to “work towards de-escalation” of the conflict, according to a statement from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.