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. Anna Fischer, European Geopolitics Expert**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Fischer. With Donald Trump’s recent victory in the U.S. presidential elections, many European leaders are emphasizing the need to strengthen their own defense capabilities. Why do you think this has become a pressing priority for Europe?
**Dr. Fischer**: Thank you for having me. The primary reason is a deepening concern about the unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy. European nations are worried that the new administration may not prioritize support for Ukraine and could potentially retreat from its role as a security guarantor. This fear of losing American backing in the face of Russian aggression is prompting a strategic reevaluation. As President Emmanuel Macron pointed out, the question is whether Europe wants to be passive spectators in world affairs or take the initiative to shape its own destiny.
**Editor**: Macron also spoke about European sovereignty and strategic autonomy. In what ways do you think Europe can achieve this?
**Dr. Fischer**: Achieving strategic autonomy requires a multifaceted approach. Firstly, Europe must invest more in its defense capabilities—this includes modernizing military forces and increasing joint European defense projects. Furthermore, it needs to enhance its economic competitiveness by fostering innovation and reducing dependencies on global supply chains, particularly concerning technology and energy. Lastly, there’s a social and political aspect; countries within the EU need to unify their foreign and defense policies to operate effectively as a geopolitical entity.
**Editor**: With Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis both emphasizing the need to act, what specific actions do you see being taken in the short term?
**Dr. Fischer**: In the immediate term, we could expect EU member states to convene more frequently to discuss collaborative defense initiatives, possibly focusing on creating an autonomous European defense force. There may also be an increase in joint military exercises and a drive towards developing a European defense industry that can reduce reliance on U.S. arms. Economically, expect a push towards policies that foster technological innovation within Europe and bolster energy independence, especially in light of the ongoing tensions with Russia.
**Editor**: do you think the European Union can become a true geopolitical power as Macron claims?
**Dr. Fischer**: It’s certainly ambitious, but not impossible. With 700 million citizens and significant economic resources, Europe has the potential to exert considerable influence on the global stage. However, this requires overcoming internal divisions and fostering unity among member states. If Europe can align its interests and present a cohesive strategy in both foreign policy and defense, it can emerge as a significant geopolitical player. The challenges are immense, but the will seems to be there, particularly in light of recent events.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Fischer. Your insights are invaluable as Europe navigates this shifting geopolitical landscape.
