Donald Trump’s victory in the United States presidential elections pushes European countries to boost their own defense capabilities amid fears that Washington will take a step back in its support for Ukraine and to accelerate their efforts to compete in the global economy.
“Do we want History to be written by others, the wars launched by (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, the American elections, the Chinese elections in technology or trade, or do we want to write History? I believe that we have the strength to write it “said French President Emmanuel Macron at the opening of the European Political Community meeting in Budapest.
The Hungarian capital hosted the fifth meeting between the 27 States of the European Union (EU) and twenty other countries on the continent, including the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Turkey, the countries of the Western Balkans and the partners of the Caucasus, which was marked for Trump’s victory and its possible consequences for the continent.
In a context marked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the growing geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, the loss of competitiveness of European economies with respect to these powers and global challenges such as climate change, Europeans see the return of the Republican the White House the last wake-up call to reduce its foreign dependencies.
“It is time to decide to act, to defend our national and at the same time European interests, to believe in our sovereignty and our strategic autonomy; to say that we do not want to be clients, to delegate our economy, our technological choices or our security to others” said Macron, who stressed that Europe cannot “delegate its security forever” to the United States.
Called
The French president insisted that Europe must defend its economy and its democratic model and considered that, with 700 million citizens, Europe is in a position to be a fully independent and influential “geopolitical power” in the world. “If we want, we can regain control,” he asserted.
“I think the time has come to wake up from our geopolitical naivety and realize that we have to commit additional resources to be able to face the great challenges, the issues of competitiveness and European defense,” summarized the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Along the same lines, the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that the EU will work on its own strategic agenda although it is “willing to deepen its ties with the United States” and trusted that the new US administration will remain committed to supporting Ukraine.
“If we were weak with authoritarian regimes like Russia that put the international order at risk, we sent a very dangerous signal of vulnerability to the rest of the world (…) If the United States were weak with Russia, what would it mean for China?” argued the Belgian.
Trump ally
The future tenant of the White House has one of his best allies in Europe precisely in the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, host of the meeting, who at the press conference after the meeting praised Trump and assured that he toasted with vodka after meeting his victory.
Orbán, also close to Putin, and a loose verse in the EU, assured that the change of command in Washington “closes a chapter and opens a new one” with regard to Ukraine and called on Europe to rethink the scope of its support for kyiv .
“People in Europe are increasingly less prepared to finance a war that they do not understand exactly, that does not understand its objective and that no one guarantees how long it will last,” Orbán said, reiterating his call for a “ceasefire” in the conflict as a “first step” to achieve peace.
The Slovak Prime Minister, the left-wing populist Robert Fico, also in favor of a ceasefire, has already warned that his country will not approve of Europe assuming “full financial responsibility for Ukraine.”
The speech of these leaders contrasts with that of the majority of European Union partners, who since the start of the war in 2022 have reiterated that they will support Kiev “for as long as necessary.”
Madrid / EFE
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**Interview with Dr. Anne Schmidt, European Political Analyst**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Schmidt. Following Donald Trump’s recent election victory, European leaders have voiced serious concerns about the potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding support for Ukraine. What are the immediate implications for European defense strategies?
**Dr. Schmidt:** Thank you for having me. The election of Donald Trump has undoubtedly sent ripples across Europe. Many leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, are recognizing the need for Europe to bolster its own defense capabilities. There’s a growing sentiment that Europe can no longer solely rely on the United States for its security, especially with ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine and increasing geopolitical tensions with China.
**Editor:** Macron’s statement about wanting Europe to write its own history is quite powerful. How does this sentiment resonate with other European leaders?
**Dr. Schmidt:** It’s a key theme that resonates strongly among European leaders. Macron’s call for sovereignty and strategic autonomy is echoed by others like Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Many in the EU are beginning to view this as a pivotal moment to strengthen not just military capabilities, but also their economic independence. Leaders are advocating for a collaborative approach to face global challenges and to ensure that Europe’s voice is heard on the world stage.
**Editor:** In light of these discussions, how do you see the long-term impact on EU-U.S. relations?
**Dr. Schmidt:** It’s a complex dynamic. While European leaders want to assert their independence, they also value the transatlantic relationship. Charles Michel’s comments about a continued willingness to deepen ties with the U.S. suggest that Europe isn’t looking to sever connections, but rather to rebalance the partnership. The goal is to enhance European agency while maintaining a cooperative stance with the U.S., especially on shared interests like security and economic stability.
**Editor:** Lastly, given the challenges you mentioned, what strategies might European nations adopt to enhance their competitive edge globally?
**Dr. Schmidt:** The strategies will likely include increasing defense spending, investing in technology, and fostering innovation within Europe. There’s also discussion around enhancing cooperation in key sectors, like AI and renewable energy, to ensure Europe is not just a consumer market but a competitive player in the global economy. Ultimately, it’s about maintaining a united front and leveraging the collective strength of the EU to address these challenges head-on.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Schmidt, for sharing your insights with us. It’s clear that Europe is at a crucial juncture as it navigates this changing geopolitical landscape.
**Dr. Schmidt:** Thank you for having me!
