In an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien, Barro said in response to a question about whether he fears the division of Europe due to what is happening in the United States: “Yes, there is such a danger. We will be able to overcome it. It is a matter of having the will.” .
The French minister added: “European countries are fully determined to hold a joint dialogue with the new administration in Washington, and Europe must in this context adopt a position of unparalleled geopolitical power, and until this is achieved, it must strengthen its position in the industrial, military and commercial fields.”
He pointed out that “the protection provided by the United States is no longer guaranteed, and the Europeans are now threatened by three existential risks: the absence of security, the widespread spread of war on the continent, industrial and technological decline, and the collapse of the democratic model.”
The French Minister concluded by saying: “Our generation must emerge from the state of denial and muster its courage to change the fate that threatens Europe by becoming a dependent continent…an old continent, and turning into a museum.”
Recently, French media shed light on the serious economic problems that may occur in Europe after Donald Trump wins the presidential elections, especially since he confirmed his desire to impose additional customs duties, as Trump described the European Union as exploitative and threatened the principle of “an eye for an eye,” saying: “The European Union is bad. It sends us its goods and does not accept ours.”
Former European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Frenchman Thierry Breton, predicted a “fatal for Europe” crisis after Donald Trump’s return to the White House, explaining that “Trump’s election is not good news for Europe, as it means a significant increase in customs duties.”
While the former French President, François Hollande, confirmed that “the results of the American elections could represent a turning point for France, Europe and the world,” considering that Trump’s victory “means an increase in unemployment in France, a decrease in growth and perhaps a rise in inflation, because there will be a very important deficit in… The US budget and, undoubtedly, a changing monetary policy.”
For its part, Politico newspaper reported that the European Union has prepared measures in the event of a major trade war with the United States.
The Financial Times newspaper had previously reported that the European Union is developing a trade strategy in the event that Donald Trump wins, which includes the possibility of imposing high customs duties on American imports in the event that negotiations on improving trade with Washington fail.
According to German Member of Parliament Thomas Erendel, Europe must bear more responsibility in matters related to its security, because the current US President Joe Biden may be “the last transatlantic president in the traditional sense of the word.”
As The Washington Post notes, European officials acknowledge that losing American defense support would deal a “crushing blow” to the European Union itself.
According to the newspaper, European officials also prepared a draft of retaliatory trade tariffs in the event that Trump again begins imposing tariffs on European Union products.
For his part, French Member of the European Parliament Thierry Mariani said that Donald Trump’s victory in the US elections will force Europe to reconsider its dependence on the United States, stressing that “Europe must see in these elections an opportunity to question the feasibility of its dependence on the United States.”
It is noteworthy that Donald Trump won the US presidential elections that took place on November 5, after assuming the presidency in 2016, becoming the first American politician since the 19th century to return to the White House after a 4-year break.
Source: “Le Parisien” + RT
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**Interview with French Minister on Europe’s Future and Transatlantic Relations**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Barro. Your recent comments in *Le Parisien* have raised quite a few eyebrows. You mentioned the potential division of Europe due to events in the United States. Can you elaborate on your concerns?
**Minister Barro:** Absolutely, it is a valid concern. The geopolitical landscape is shifting, and we must recognize that the protection we once relied upon from the United States is no longer guaranteed. This raises the risk of fragmentation within Europe, which would be detrimental to our unity and stability.
**Editor:** You spoke about the need for Europe to adopt a position of unprecedented geopolitical power. What steps do you envision for achieving that?
**Minister Barro:** It starts with enhancing our collective dialogue with the new administration in Washington. We must strengthen our industrial, military, and commercial capabilities to ensure that we are not perceived as a dependent continent. Investing in these fields is imperative for our sovereignty and future prosperity.
**Editor:** You indicated that Europe faces three existential risks. Could you break those down for us?
**Minister Barro:** Certainly. First, there is the absence of security, which has become increasingly pronounced. Second, the potential for widespread conflict on our continent cannot be ignored. Lastly, we face an industrial and technological decline, which could undermine our economic stability and lead to the collapse of our democratic model.
**Editor:** Recently, there has been a lot of discussion regarding the consequences of a potential Donald Trump presidency on Europe’s economy. What are your thoughts?
**Minister Barro:** The stakes are high. Trump’s return could lead to increased customs duties and further economic strain—something that Thierry Breton has warned about as being ‘fatal for Europe.’ If Trump views the EU as exploitative, we may find ourselves in a trade war, which could severely impact employment and growth across Europe.
**Editor:** Former President François Hollande shared similar concerns, suggesting that Trump’s victory could lead to economic instability in France and across Europe. How prepared is Europe to tackle these challenges?
**Minister Barro:** Our generation must confront these challenges without denial. We have the will and the capability to forge a new path that protects our interests. However, we must act decisively to prevent Europe from becoming just an “old continent” or a “museum” of its former glory.
**Editor:** Thank you, Minister Barro. Your insights shed light on the pivotal moments ahead for Europe and the need for robust action in response to the changing dynamics with the United States.
**Minister Barro:** Thank you for having me. The time for bold actions is now, and together, we can shape a resilient future for Europe.
