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France’s Far-Right RN Toughens Stance on Trump to Avoid ‘Trap’ Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election

Date: January 22, 2026 | Source: Le Monde

Introduction

In an important strategic pivot, France’s far-right Rassemblement National (RN) is aggressively recalibrating its international coverage stance in regards to the United States and President Donald Trump. As the 2027 French presidential election approaches, the birthday celebration, recently led by way of Jordan Bardella, is making an attempt to shed a yr of overt courtship of the Trump management. This shift is pushed by way of a calculated concern of a political “lure” that might undermine the RN’s credibility at the European level. The birthday celebration is now adopting a more difficult, extra Euro-centric rhetoric, positioning itself in opposition to American geopolitical maneuvers whilst navigating the advanced waters of French home politics.

The urgency throughout the RN is palpable. Following Trump’s re-election in November 2024, the birthday celebration to start with aligned itself with the American chief. However, contemporary movements, together with territorial disputes involving Greenland and competitive US international coverage, have compelled the RN to reconsider its alliances. This article explores the background of this shift, analyzes the strategic implications, and provides sensible insights into what this implies for the way forward for French politics and transatlantic family members.

Key Points

Background

The Rassemblement National’s Historical Shift

Historically, the French far-right has maintained a posh courting with the United States. Under earlier creativity, the Rassemblement National (RN)—previously the National Front—regularly harbored skepticism towards American international coverage, in particular referring to army interventions within the Middle East. However, with the upward thrust of Donald Trump and the following “America First” doctrine, there used to be a perceived alignment of pursuits. The RN noticed in Trump a determine who challenged the globalist established order, similar to their very own platform.

Following Trump’s re-election in November 2024, the RN to start with embraced this alignment. For over a yr, the birthday celebration engaged in what critics known as “overt courtship,” viewing the Trump management as a possible best friend in opposition to the European Union’s centralizing developments. This duration used to be marked by way of a hope {that a} Trump presidency would weaken EU buildings, thereby empowering nationalist market signals throughout Europe, together with the RN.

The Catalyst: Greenland and Geopolitical Tensions

The turning level arrived in early 2026. President Trump’s renewed hobby in obtaining Greenland—a sovereign territory belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark, an EU member state—despatched shockwaves via European diplomatic circles. For the RN, this used to be now not simply a diplomatic spat; it used to be a right away problem to European territorial integrity.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Jordan Bardella delivered a speech on the European Parliament that marked the tip of the RN’s honeymoon duration with the Trump management. He mentioned that Trump’s coveting of Greenland used to be enforcing “an influence fight” and that “giving in would set a significant precedent.” This speech signaled a go back to the RN’s conventional “France First” rhetoric, prioritizing European sovereignty over transatlantic opportunism.

Analysis

The Political “Trap” of the 2027 Election

The central theme of the RN’s new earnings is the avoidance of a political “lure.” According to Jean-Philippe Tanguy, deputy president of the RN team within the Assemblée Nationale, the birthday celebration is going through a “wide-open lure” forward of the 2027 presidential election.

This lure is composed of 2 attainable pitfalls:

1. The Sovereignty Trap: If the RN continues to make stronger Trump’s competitive expansionist rhetoric (e.g., Greenland), they chance alienating French electorate who’re staunchly protecting of European sovereignty and cross-border legislation. Supporting the annexation of European territory can be politically suicidal for a birthday celebration searching for to manipulate France.
2. The Consistency Trap: Having courted Trump for a yr, the RN dangers having a look opportunistic or inconsistent. By flipping their stance, they should persuade their base that the shift is in response to idea (protection of Europe) fairly than political expediency.

Strategic Blindness and EU Defense

Bardella’s speech additionally addressed the foundation reasons of present transatlantic friction, blaming “a long time of strategic blindness.” This is a connection with the European Union’s historic reliance at the United States for safety and business, which has left Europe prone to unilateral American selections.

The RN is making an attempt to rebrand itself because the defender of European strategic autonomy. By calling for the EU to “turn on its anti-coercion tools immediately,” the RN is adopting a stance that aligns with conventional French Gaullist ideas of independence. This is a savvy transfer to enchantment to electorate who is also skeptical of the RN however are taken with American hegemony.

Comparing the Two Rebukes

This isn’t the primary time the RN has distanced itself from the Trump management in 2026. The first example took place following the United States army’s abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January. While the RN condemned that motion, the reaction to the Greenland factor is way more important as it touches at once on European territorial integrity—a core factor for the French citizens.

The consistency of those rebukes suggests a calculated shift in earnings fairly than a reactionary reaction. The RN is signaling to Brussels—and extra importantly, to Paris—that they’re ready to protect French pursuits even in opposition to tough allies.

Practical Advice

Understanding the Implications for Investors and Observers

For political observers, traders, and electorate, the RN’s shift provides a number of key insights into the trajectory of European politics:

• Monitor Transatlantic Trade: Bardella’s name for centered measures in opposition to American services and products and exports suggests attainable volatility in transatlantic business family members. If the RN positive aspects energy in 2027, US corporations working in Europe might face larger regulatory scrutiny.
• Watch the EU Parliament: The RN’s expanding task within the European Parliament signifies a earnings to steer EU coverage from inside of. Their requires anti-coercion tools may just result in new EU law protective member states from exterior financial force.
• Voter Sentiment Analysis: The RN’s pivot means that they view anti-Americanism (in particular anti-Trump sentiment) as a profitable factor within the 2027 election. Voters must be expecting a marketing campaign centered closely on “European sovereignty” and “strategic autonomy.”

How the RN Can Navigate the Transition

To effectively steer clear of the “lure,” the RN should deal with a gentle steadiness:

1. Consistency in Messaging: The birthday celebration should body the shift now not as a betrayal of Trump, however as a protection of Europe. The narrative should be: “We make stronger a robust West, however now not on the expense of European sovereignty.”
2. Focus on Economic Independence: By highlighting the commercial risk of US price lists or territorial business environment, the RN can enchantment to protectionist electorate with out showing isolationist.

FAQ

Conclusion

The Rassemblement National’s choice to fortify its stance on Donald Trump is a defining second for the French far-right. By prioritizing European sovereignty over transatlantic opportunism, Jordan Bardella is making an attempt to future-proof the birthday celebration forward of the 2027 presidential election. The “lure” recognized by way of birthday celebration officers is actual: aligning too carefully with an competitive US management may just value the RN the presidency.

While the birthday celebration has a yr of courtship to undo, the competitive rhetoric delivered on the European Parliament suggests a transparent and calculated pivot. The RN is having a bet that French electorate will praise a birthday celebration that stands as much as American force, irrespective of who sits within the White House. As 2027 approaches, the RN’s skill to navigate this advanced geopolitical panorama would be the final check of its readiness to manipulate.