Why it matters:
European officials are concerned about several issues, including the US' contribution to NATO funding, fair trade relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and support for Ukraine. These worries have been heightened by Trump's recent threats to increase trade tariffs on Europe, reduce the US share of NATO funding, and unilaterally end the war in Ukraine.
Flashback:
During Trump's first term (2017-2021), European countries faced challenges with his "America First" policies. He often acted unilaterally, withdrawing from international agreements like the JCPOA and the Paris Climate Agreement.
State of play:
Trump has taken power in the US, has warned European countries from the very beginning of his career to obey the US desired policies, while the EU member states, particularly France and Germany, are facing increasing internal and external challenges and experiencing fragile status in recent years, especially since the start of the war in Ukraine.
What they are saying:
- France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warns: "If we do nothing, we will be dominated, crushed, marginalized. This decision which is up to us, French and Europeans, because it is impossible without Europe, is the recovery."
- Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz says the European Union must firmly stand and act in a unified manner.
- France's President Emanuel Macron believes that Berlin and Paris should work for a united and stronger Europe in the new conditions.
Zoom in:
When Donald Trump took office as the US president in January 2017, the European Union was navigating a complex political and economic landscape.
- The EU faced threats like terrorism, such as the US-cooked Daesh project, and needed to strengthen its defense capabilities.
- The UK had voted to leave the EU, Brexit, creating uncertainty.
- The EU was still recovering from the Eurozone crisis.
- There was a large influx of refugees and migrants, leading to political disagreements.
- Populist movements were gaining traction in several countries.
- There were concerns about the future of transatlantic relations due to Trump's policies.
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