The newspaper wrote in its article: “Washington’s closest allies in Europe are preparing for the possibility of severing transatlantic relations, if Donald Trump wins the elections scheduled for Tuesday.” As a precaution against any possible change in the White House’s approach to Ukraine, European officials have tried to push ahead with aid packages before the November elections. The new NATO leadership also took over some responsibilities from the Pentagon regarding the coordination of military assistance to Kiev.”
In addition, according to German Member of Parliament Thomas Ehrendl, Europe must take more responsibility in matters related to its security, because 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 have also prepared a draft of retaliatory trade tariffs in the event that Trump again begins imposing tariffs on European Union products.
At the end of last July, the Financial Times reported that the European Union was developing a trade strategy in the event of Trump’s re-election, which includes the possibility of imposing high tariffs on American imports if negotiations on improving trade with Washington fail.
Trump had previously promised that he was able to reach a negotiated settlement to the Ukrainian conflict. He stated many times that he would be able to resolve the conflict in Ukraine within one day.
Source: Novosti
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**Interview with European Politics Expert, Dr. Elena Thompson**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Thompson. With the looming possibility of a Trump presidency, experts warn that transatlantic relations could face seismic shifts. What are your thoughts on Europe’s preparation for this potential scenario?
**Dr. Thompson:** Thanks for having me. The situation is quite precarious. European officials are undoubtedly feeling a sense of urgency. The preparations for possible trade wars and increased military responsibilities reflect a fundamental shift in how Europe perceives its security environment.
**Editor:** In your opinion, how significant is the idea that President Biden may be the “last transatlantic president in the traditional sense”? What does that entail for EU defense and foreign policy?
**Dr. Thompson:** It’s a crucial point. If Biden represents the end of an era of strong transatlantic ties, Europe might need to rethink its strategic autonomy. We’re already seeing discussions around this in Germany, where leaders like Thomas Ehrendl emphasize the need for Europe to take on greater security responsibilities. It’s a wake-up call that EU nations can’t rely solely on U.S. support.
**Editor:** The idea of retaliatory trade tariffs against the U.S. is quite striking. Do you believe such a measure would escalate tensions or could it serve as a necessary leverage in negotiations?
**Dr. Thompson:** It could lead to significant escalation. Trade tariffs could provoke a tit-for-tat situation, damaging both economies further. However, if diplomacy fails and Europe feels backed into a corner, it might view tariffs as the only way to assert its stance. It’s a complex balancing act.
**Editor:** Donald Trump has promised to resolve the Ukraine conflict swiftly. Given the current realities on the ground, how plausible do you think his claims are?
**Dr. Thompson:** Trump’s assurances are certainly ambitious, if not unrealistic. The conflict is deeply rooted and involves a multitude of factors beyond mere negotiation. His administration’s approach would need to consider not just American interests, but also the diverse and sometimes conflicting interests of European nations.
**Editor:** To our readers: Are we witnessing a pivotal moment for European sovereignty, or do you believe the transatlantic alliance will endure despite potential shifts in U.S. leadership? What are your thoughts on Europe’s ability to assert itself in a new geopolitical landscape? We invite you to join the conversation.
