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Arancha González Laya, Camille Grand, Katarzyna Pisarska, Nathalie Tocci, and Guntram Wolff | Foreign Affairs Magazine
Trump Proofing Europe — How the Continent Can Prepare for American Abandonment (last accessed on February 12.2.2024, 17.27, XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.)
“In short, it [Europe] needs to Trump-proof its future. The continent weathered four years of a Trump presidency. But a second four years will probably be much harder to sail through. …
Overall, Trump actively supported right-wing nationalists, populists, and anti-EU voices in Europe. As the EU heads into parliamentary elections in June 2024, there is a real risk that these emboldened forces will gain significant ground, shaping the EU's future generation of leaders. Whether they do or not, Trump's second candidacy is already encouraging nationalist figures such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. ...
In practice, the United States is currently the only NATO ally that has a truly “full force” package. …
If he gets a second term, Trump may well seek to further weaken democratic institutions in the United States, including the Department of Justice, and foment general disdain for the rule of law. This would embolden populists and Eurosceptic parties. The first Trump presidency already taught Europeans how a US president's political support for populists can practically endanger European unity. …
All these goals require Europe to plan ahead because building defense capability takes time. Waiting to move until the US election has been decided is not an option. The EU will not be able to quickly acquire the same skill in planning and commanding large-scale territorial defense operations that NATO has developed over 75 years. …
Even if Trump doesn't win in November, Europe has work to do. It may simply no longer be able to rely on the United States to be a consistent partner, no matter who's in charge. The United States is already making foreign policy moves without consulting Europe, especially in the economic sphere. …”
Article worth reading. I agree with the analysis, but I firmly believe that it would be better for everyone involved if Europe did not try to go it alone, but, on the contrary, did everything possible to bind the USA more firmly to Europe.
Together we are strong! Europe or the USA alone will not be able to survive in this world!
