Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, previously aligned with President Donald Trump's administration, is publicly distancing itself due to his threats to annex Greenland and military actions against Venezuela. AfD co-leader Alice Weidel accused Trump of violating his non-intervention campaign promises, demanding he justify this to voters. This shift occurs as German trust in America hits record lows, with only 12% approving of Trump per the latest ARD-DeutschlandTrend poll.

A Balancing Act

AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla provided a nuanced critique, defending U.S. interests in its sphere but rejecting "Wild West methods" that fail to justify ends. The party had benefited from U.S. support, including Elon Musk's pre-election endorsement declaring "only AfD can save Germany," meetings with Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary Marco Rubio's dismissal of AfD's extremist label as "tyranny." Yet Trump's actions now risk alienating AfD's base amid domestic backlash.

Plummeting German Trust in America

The ARD poll reveals 15% view the U.S. as trustworthy—a historic low—with 70% deeming Venezuela intervention unwarranted. This mirrors France's National Rally, where Jordan Bardella labeled Trump's Greenland stance "imperial ambitions" challenging European sovereignty. AfD's pivot aims to shield from Trump's unpopularity, which could undermine far-right gains ahead of Germany's February elections.

European Response

Troops from France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, and Canada deployed to Greenland this week for exercises after Danish talks with Vance and Rubio exposed irreconcilable differences. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen confirmed no U.S. policy shift, as Trump insists Greenland is vital for security and hints at force. French President Macron warned of NATO fractures; deployments emphasize deterrence without deterring White House plans, per recent updates as of January 17, 2026.