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
#Trumps #victory #pushes #Europe #strengthen #defense #fight #global #autonomy
**Interview with Dr. Elise Carter: European Political Expert**
**Editor:** Today, we’re joined by Dr. Elise Carter, a European political expert, to discuss the implications of Donald Trump’s recent victory in the U.S. presidential elections on Europe’s defense and economic strategies. Thank you for being here, Dr. Carter.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** Let’s dive right in. Following Trump’s victory, there seems to be a sense of urgency among European leaders, particularly regarding defense capabilities. Why is this shift happening now?
**Dr. Carter:** The timing is crucial. Trump’s leadership raises concerns about potential reductions in U.S. support, especially regarding Ukraine in light of Russian aggression. European leaders, such as President Macron, are recognizing that their sovereign security cannot solely depend on U.S. commitments, especially as political dynamics in America shift.
**Editor:** Macron spoke about the need for Europe to “write History” rather than merely responding to it. What does this mean for European sovereignty and strategy going forward?
**Dr. Carter:** Macron’s statement emphasizes a proactive rather than reactive approach. He advocates for a united European front that asserts its own influence rather than adapting passively to the actions of global powers like the U.S., Russia, or China. This suggests a push for greater resource allocation towards defense and a reevaluation of dependence on external powers for economic and security needs.
**Editor:** Alongside defense implications, there are economic concerns too. How are European nations planning to address their competitiveness in the global economy?
**Dr. Carter:** European leaders, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, are recognizing the need for investment in innovation and technology. To compete effectively with the likes of the U.S. and China, they must not just bolster military capabilities but also innovate economically. This can lead to stronger inter-European partnerships and may encourage strategic investments across sectors, ensuring Europe operates as a significant geopolitical player.
**Editor:** With the European Political Community meeting recently held in Budapest, what steps might we expect in the near future regarding unity among European nations?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s likely we’ll see initiatives aimed at greater integration and coordination among EU and partner nations. Leaders have expressed a desire to act collectively and fortify Europe’s position on the global stage, which may involve creating frameworks for cooperation on defense, technological development, and economic resilience.
**Editor:** Dr. Carter, do you think the new U.S. administration will align with Europe’s strategic goals, or is that still uncertain?
**Dr. Carter:** It’s uncertain. While there may be a willingness from the EU to deepen ties with the U.S., the geopolitical landscape is complex. The Biden administration’s priorities might differ significantly from those of Trump and the Republican Party, potentially influencing areas like NATO relationships and foreign aid. How Europe navigates this will be crucial, and their emphasis on self-reliance could reshape the transatlantic relationship.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Carter, for your insights on this evolving situation. It will certainly be interesting to see how Europe adapts to these challenges.
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me.
