The backlash has emerged despite earlier efforts by Trump to rebuild ties with Europe’s far right after returning to the White House last year.

While U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently campaigned for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, such overt support has become increasingly rare amid discontent over the Iran war.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declined to allow U.S. forces to use an air base in Sicily for strikes on Iran, while Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s National Rally, described Trump’s war objectives as “erratic.”

In Germany, officials from the Alternative for Germany have called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in the country.The tensions come even as a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran remains in place, underscoring the broader geopolitical strain triggered by the conflict.

Analysts say the developments highlight the limits of Trump’s ambition to forge a cohesive international bloc of nationalist movements.

“Getting a blessing from Donald Trump is now a mixed blessing,” said Charles Kupchan, a professor of international relations at Georgetown University and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The rift follows earlier friction between Washington and European allies over Trump’s remarks targeting Denmark in connection with his demand that the country cede Greenland to the United States.

Trump also criticized NATO for what he described as insufficient support during recent tensions.Daniel Baer, a former U.S. ambassador and State Department official, said the latest disagreements reflect the difficulty of sustaining a unified nationalist coalition across borders.

“Building some sort of international coalition around national chauvinism is very difficult,” he said.Orbán, long regarded as a key Trump ally, has so far avoided direct criticism, maintaining a cautious stance on the Iran conflict. In a recent interview, he said it was too early to determine whether U.S. actions would lead to peace or further escalation.

Hungary’s leader has emphasized his relationship with Trump as a pillar of his foreign policy, often presenting it to voters as a source of security and international leverage. However, analysts warn that the association could carry political risks as perceptions of the U.S. administration shift.

According to Mario Bikarsku, a senior Europe analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, recent U.S. engagement in Hungary could have unintended consequences for Orbán’s domestic standing.

Experts note that the rise of far-right parties across Europe has largely been driven by domestic political dynamics rather than external influence, suggesting limited incentive for alignment with Washington’s policies.

Kupchan said nationalist movements in countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany have gained traction independently, shaped more by local economic and political conditions than by U.S. support.

The evolving divisions underscore the fragility of transnational political alliances built on ideological affinity, particularly as the Iran conflict continues to reshape global alignments.

In a joint letter to EU leaders, Mette Frederiksen and Giorgia Meloni said Europe “cannot risk a repeat” of the earlier influx, when hundreds of thousands arrived, many fleeing the Syrian civil war.

The two leaders urged the European Commission to adopt a 458-million-euro ($527 million) humanitarian aid package aimed in part at supporting populations affected by the Middle East conflict before displacement leads to onward migration toward Europe.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is increasingly worrying,” they wrote, noting that the region already hosts large numbers of displaced people. They warned that unmanaged flows could have implications not only for those directly affected but also for the “security and cohesion” of the European Union.

Their proposal emphasizes assistance to countries in the region to manage displacement locally, reducing the likelihood of large-scale migration toward Europe.

Frederiksen and Meloni said the EU must strengthen its external borders and improve preparedness to respond to potential migration pressures. “We cannot afford to be taken by surprise as in the past,” they said, calling for proactive steps if the situation deteriorates.

The initiative reflects a broader push among some EU leaders to tighten migration policies in response to geopolitical instability and evolving security concerns.

The issue has also been raised by other European leaders. Friedrich Merz warned earlier this month that instability in Iran could have “far-reaching consequences,” including increased migration flows.

Frederiksen and Meloni were joined by Rob Jetten and other EU representatives in informal discussions with the European Commission on “innovative” approaches to limit immigration in light of the conflict.

The warnings come as the war, which began with a bombardment of Iran by the United States and Israel in late February, continues to reshape regional dynamics and raise concerns across Europe.

Novo Nordisk’s global transformation plan, including the restructuring of its workforce, is nearly complete, signaling the company’s focus on innovation, agility, and sustained leadership in the global healthcare and diabetes market.

Novo Nordisk has nearly completed its global restructuring initiative, which included job adjustments impacting approximately 9,000 employees across multiple regions.

The process, which CEO Mike Doustdar described as progressing smoothly, marks a pivotal phase in the company’s journey toward strengthening operational efficiency and maintaining its leadership in the competitive global pharmaceutical market.

Despite being a difficult transition, the restructuring demonstrates Novo Nordisk’s commitment to long-term stability, innovation, and sustainable growth.

In his recent LinkedIn post, Doustdar shared that the company has already notified employees affected by the restructuring in most locations.

The timeline and process varied depending on local regulations and employment laws, reflecting Novo Nordisk’s respect for regional labor standards and ethical corporate governance.

This thoughtful and transparent approach underscores the company’s dedication to handling workforce transitions with empathy, fairness, and professionalism while ensuring business continuity and focus on patient outcomes.

The restructuring comes at a time when Novo Nordisk faces growing competition in the United States, the world’s largest pharmaceutical market, especially from rival Eli Lilly.

Both companies have been at the forefront of developing innovative treatments for diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders.

With this new organizational structure, Novo Nordisk aims to enhance agility, strengthen its global supply chain, and allocate resources more effectively to areas driving the greatest patient impact.

While the announcement of job reductions may seem challenging, it reflects a forward-looking vision to optimize operations and improve efficiency.

Industry analysts view the move as a proactive strategy to streamline operations and adapt to evolving global market dynamics.

By reshaping its structure, Novo Nordisk is positioning itself to respond more effectively to the rising demand for its breakthrough therapies, including those targeting diabetes and obesity, two of the most pressing health challenges worldwide.

Novo Nordisk’s commitment to its mission of improving lives remains unchanged. The company continues to invest heavily in research and development, focusing on next-generation treatments and advanced biotechnologies.

Its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, including the one in Kalundborg, Denmark, play a vital role in maintaining product quality and meeting global demand.

The restructuring also aims to bolster these efforts by making the organization more flexible and responsive to emerging healthcare needs.

CEO Mike Doustdar emphasized that while such transitions are never easy, they are sometimes necessary for long-term growth and sustainability.

He expressed gratitude to all employees for their dedication, professionalism, and resilience during the restructuring period.

The CEO’s communication reflects Novo Nordisk’s people-first culture, recognizing the contributions of its workforce while preparing the company for a future defined by innovation and patient-centered care.

Experts believe that this transformation will help Novo Nordisk maintain its leadership position in the global market, particularly as demand for diabetes and obesity medications continues to soar.

The company’s focus on digital transformation, scientific excellence, and sustainable production practices further strengthens its reputation as a responsible and future-ready healthcare leader.

As the restructuring concludes, Novo Nordisk is expected to emerge stronger, leaner, and better equipped to drive growth in key therapeutic areas.

Novo Nordisk’s strategic evolution highlights its adaptability and vision in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

With innovation at its core and an unwavering focus on improving health outcomes, the company is set to continue delivering breakthrough solutions that address global health challenges.

This period of transformation is not a setback but rather a stepping stone toward a more efficient, dynamic, and forward-thinking future for Novo Nordisk and the millions of patients it serves worldwide.

Shah was arrested by Dubai police last year following a request by Danish authorities to extradite him over his alleged involvement in so-called “cum-ex” tax fraud schemes. He denies wrongdoing.

Shah’s media and political adviser confirmed his extradition to Denmark. His defence lawyer in Denmark, Kare Pihlmann, told Danish broadcaster TV2 that Shah had boarded a plane in Dubai and was set to arrive in Denmark later on Wednesday.

“Shah was extradited to Denmark’s security mission, according to legal procedures, based on a decision by the Court of Cassation in Dubai and the resolution by the Minister of Justice, who approved the extradition,” state-run UAE news agency WAM reported.

Danish prosecutors will ask a court to order that Shah is held in police custody until the start of his trial, which is scheduled to begin on Jan. 8 next year, the government said in a statement.

“This is one of our biggest and most serious cases of financial fraud,” Justice Minister Petter Hummelgaard said.

The cum-ex schemes, which flourished following the 2008 financial crisis, involved trading shares rapidly around a syndicate of banks, investors and hedge funds to exploit the tax systems of countries such as Denmark, Germany and Belgium.

Investigations led by Germany and Denmark have triggered bank raids, arrests and prosecutions. Denmark has charged nine British and U.S. citizens over the schemes, which it says have cost it more than 12.7 billion Danish crowns ($1.8 billion).

“Although the decision to extradite Mr Shah is extremely disappointing, Mr Shah has at all times maintained his honest belief that the trades undertaken, which are the subject of this case, were lawful,” said Chris Waters, partner at London-based law firm Meaby & Co, which is coordinating Shah’s defence.

Last month, Shah lost a final bid to block Denmark’s tax authority from pursuing him and others in London over the alleged offences, in a ruling by the UK Supreme Court that cleared the way for a year-long civil trial to begin next April.

The market opportunity for the drug is huge in the world’s most populous country, where obesity rates are high especially among women. Illegal copycat versions of Wegovy are already being sold through online sites.

“I think there would be quite a lot of patients and quite a lot of doctors who would be interested in this therapeutic area,” said Novo Nordisk’s India Managing Director Vikrant Shrotriya.

“It will open up a new horizon for healthcare itself, because till now the horizon was only limited to alternative therapies and bariatric surgery, right?”

He urged patients not to buy copycat versions of Wegovy, warning they could be unsafe.

“They should not take it,” Shrotriya said in an interview. “It is not licensed. For most of these products, we also do not know any kind of a cold chain and how it has been insured during transportation.”

Novo holds the patent in India for the active ingredient in Wegovy called semaglutide but has not taken any legal action against the counterfeiters so far.

“We have not been able to take legal action because we have not been able to catch them,” Shrotriya said, adding that while the illegal sellers were “difficult to trace”, the company had not seen any large syndicates selling the drug in India.

He declined to comment on how Wegovy would be priced in India. Novo charges more than $1300 in the U.S. for a monthly supply and about 300 euros ($317) a month in Germany.

“When it comes to Wegovy, we have to see the ecosystem at that point of time in 2026,” Shrotriya told Reuters, adding that the company would price it “to justify the innovation but also work for access in India”.

Wegovy, a weekly injection, is the most effective treatment approved for weight-loss to date at a time when global obesity rates are at a record high.

The drug, along with Novo’s diabetes drug Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, belongs to a class of therapies known as GLP-1 receptor agonists that slow digestion, helping patients feel full for longer.

Clinical trials showed Wegovy helped users lose about 15% of their body weight. A large study also showed the obesity treatment had a clear cardiovascular benefit.

Novo first launched Wegovy in the U.S. in 2021 and has introduced it in several European markets, including the UK and Germany. It has struggled to produce enough Wegovy to meet demand in those countries and said it was unlikely to sell the drug in developing nations for a very long time.

Demand in India could be high. The prevalence of abdominal obesity in India was found to be 40% in women and 12% in men, an article in the medical journal the Lancet said, citing data from a National Family Health Survey for 2019-2021.

Shrotriya said Novo aims to be prepared to match the demand.

“When we launch in a country, we want that the continuity of the supply is there,” he said.

Some were sceptical about Wegovy’s India launch timing.

“A bigger market is always a developed market because of getting high realisation, so I believe India should not be a priority for them,” Nirmal Bang’s lead pharma analyst Mitesh Shah said, adding that Wegovy’s popularity in India was “dependent” on its price.

Anti-Islam activists have burned or damaged several copies of the Muslim holy book in recent months, prompting outrage in the Muslim world and demands that the Nordic governments ban such acts.

Turkey has repeatedly condemned such protests in recent months, including those in Sweden, which is awaiting Ankara’s approval to join NATO.

Anti-Islam activists in Denmark and Sweden have burned or damaged several copies of the Muslim holy book in recent months, prompting outrage in the Muslim world and demands that the Nordic governments ban such acts.

Governments in both countries have condemned the burnings and said they are considering new laws aimed at preventing such acts.

“Iran lays the full responsibility and the serious repercussions of the Holy Koran’s desecration on the Swedish and Danish governments,” state media cited the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s human rights department as saying.

Authorities fear revenge attacks after anti-Islam activists in Denmark and Sweden burned and damaged several copies of the Muslim holy book in recent months, inciting outrage in the Muslim world and demands that governments ban such acts.

“Authorities have today concluded that it is necessary at this time to increase the focus on who is entering Denmark, in order to respond to the specific and current threats,” the Danish justice ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.

A small group of Danish far-right activists has burned at least ten copies of the Koran in the past week and said it plans to burn more Korans at two demonstrations on Friday and at three more events over the weekend.

The Danish and Swedish governments have condemned the burnings and are considering new laws that could stop them. But domestic critics say any such decisions would undermine freedom of speech that is protected in their constitutions.

Denmark’s tighter border controls will initially be in place until Aug. 10.

“The recent Koran burnings have, as the security police have said, affected the current security situation,” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said.

The decision to tighten border controls with more checks of travellers arriving in Denmark follows a similar move by Sweden.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen late on Thursday said religious texts should not be burned.

“I think it would be wrong if someone stood there and burned the Bible. I also don’t think we should burn the Torah for the sake of those who belong to the Jewish faith,” Frederiksen told public broadcaster DR.

Muslims view the Koran as the literal word of God and actual or alleged desecration of the holy book often sparks protests in the Muslim world.

Denmark and Sweden have seen several protests in recent weeks where copies of the Koran have been burned, or otherwise damaged, prompting outrage in Muslim countries, which have demanded the Nordic governments put a stop to the burnings.

The Danish government said on Sunday it would seek to find a “legal tool” that could enable authorities to intervene in such protests, if deemed to entail “significant negative consequences for Denmark, not least with regard to security”.

“The fact that we are signalling both in Denmark and abroad that we are working on it will hopefully help de-escalate the problems we are facing,” Rasmussen told journalists following a meeting with foreign policy speakers of parliament on Monday.

“It is not because we feel pressured to do so, but it is our political analysis that it is in the best interest of all of us,” Rasmussen said, adding: “We shouldn’t just sit and wait for this to explode.”

Even so, Koran burnings took place in both countries on Monday. In Stockholm an Iraqi refugee behind several protests in recent weeks appeared to burn a copy of the Koran outside the Swedish parliament. In Denmark, anti-Muslim protesters burned the Koran outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Copenhagen, with several more planned for later in the day.

The Nordic countries have deplored the burnings of the Koran but cannot prevent it under constitutional laws protecting freedom of speech.

However, both governments have now said they are considering legal changes that would allow authorities to prevent further burnings in special situations.

The Swedish government said this month it is examining a similar solution but right-wing parties in both countries have denounced the initiatives, with some saying freedom of speech cannot be compromised.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Monday that he had sent letters to all 57 countries in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to explain Sweden’s right to assembly and condemned islamophobic acts.

OIC foreign ministers will convene in an extraordinary session on Monday to discuss the recent developments.

In a phone call with his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Fidan condemned the “continuous vile attacks against the Koran”. He told Rasmussen it was unacceptable to allow such actions under the guise of freedom of expression, the source said.

Rasmussen on Saturday wrote on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter: “Turkey and Denmark are close allies. Important to not let these acts succeed in creating division.” He also reiterated Denmark’s “strong condemnation of these provocative acts by few individuals.”

The comments came after a small group of anti-Islam activists set fire to Korans in front of the Egyptian and Turkish embassies in Copenhagen on Tuesday, after similar protests in Denmark and Sweden over recent weeks.

Denmark and Sweden have deplored the burning of Islam’s holy book but say they cannot prevent it under rules protecting free speech.