Biden Says European, US Leaders Privately Seeking His Advice During Trump’s Second Term: ‘I’m Getting Calls’

Former President Joe Biden claimed that he is still being approached by European leaders, who have sought his intervention, as the world navigates multiple crises on the geopolitical and macroeconomic fronts.

While speaking to human resource professionals at the HR trade group SHRM in San Diego on Wednesday, the former president expressed concerns about the U.S. taking a step back from the world stage, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Biden also highlighted the efforts his administration has taken to strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance comprising primarily countries from North America and Europe. 

The ex-president said, “We strengthened NATO in a significant way.” It was during Biden’s term that Finland and Sweden joined the alliance in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

His successor, President Donald Trump, has taken a far less patronizing stance, often criticizing the coalition for its massive defense spending. 

Data available on NATO’s website showed that, as of June 2025, under the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine, allies and partners had contributed approximately $1.1 billion to the war-ravaged country.

Biden suggested in his speech that he was receiving calls from European leaders. “I’m getting calls — I’m not going to go into it, I can’t — from a number of European leaders asking me to get engaged,” he said, adding that “I’m not, but I’m giving advice.”

Democratic and Republican leaders have also dialled up to share ideas, Biden said. 

He also expressed dismay at some of his work getting undone. “Many of the things I worked so damn hard, that I thought I changed in the country, are changing so rapidly,” he said.

Biden, though not mentioning Trump’s ‘one, big beautiful’ tax bill, was apparently referring to provisions such as cuts to Medicaid coverage and food-aid programs. 

The financial markets have largely shrugged off Trump’s policy uncertainties so far. 

The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), which tracks the broader S&P 500 Index, reached a new high on Wednesday. Retail sentiment toward the ETF had remained ‘bullish’ (63/100) on Stocktwits, with the message volume at ‘normal’ levels.

The SPY is up 6.5% for the year and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) ETF a steeper 8%.

Responding to Biden’s comments, a White House spokesperson reportedly said the former president’s foreign policy left the U.S. weaker than ever before.

“Thanks to President Trump, NATO allies have made a historic 5% defense spending pledge, Iran’s nuclear capabilities are obliterated, and our country’s standing on the world stage is restored,” the spokesperson said.

Biden, who lost to Trump in the November 2024 election, disclosed in May that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

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