Europe on the crossroads: strategies against Trump's return and global pressure

Europe on the crossroads: strategies against Trump's return and global pressure

The return of Donald Trump to the White House in January 2025 triggered concern in Europe. Political decision -makers warn of the possible consequences of his foreign policy, which is strongly focused on national interests and could weaken multinational cooperation. Beatrice Baradari, a leading voice within the European Union, emphasizes that the cohesion of the EU is of crucial importance under these circumstances. She emphasizes that the challenges that Trump brings with it should also be perceived as an opportunity to promote the independence and independence of Europe. Baradari appeals to the EU countries to keep discussion channels open and to search for solutions in specific policy fields in order to avoid escalations and defend their basic values.

The CDU member of the Bundestag Florian Müller also underlines the key role in Europe in this new political context. He criticizes the foreign policy forced by Trump and demands that Europe have to defend its geopolitical and economic interests more strongly in order not to be perceived as weak or irrelevant. Müller demands more independence in the areas of trade, defense, foreign border protection and climate policy. This indicates a change in the European way of thinking that is necessary in order to be able to counter the new challenges.

realignment of the European strategy

Europe faces the urgent need to redefine its position in world politics. With the pressure on the transatlantic partnership and the growing challenges in the geopolitical landscape, the EU has to develop independent strategies in order to preserve economic resilience, military security and political unity. The perception of the EU as a weaker player has increased, while the United States and Asia are growing economically dynamically. In this context, the period from 2024 to 2025 Europe offers the opportunity to redesign its international role and influence. DGAP.ORG the changed priorities of the USA.

War in Ukraine has drastically worsened the stability in EU neighborhood. After the Russian attack on February 24, 2022, the EU countries reacted with military and financial support as well as sanctions against Russia. The EU continues to tear measures to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil energy imports and shows efforts to better protect its own interests, especially in terms of China. While the EU has responded to various crises in the past 15 years, the necessary instruments are often lacking in order to decide quickly and efficiently. Cooperation in the field of defense policy was initiated with Pesco in 2017, but the unanimity rule in foreign and security policy makes quick decisions more difficult.

difficult decision making and need for action

disagreement within the EU on foreign policy issues, including the Middle East conflict and the relationship with China, illustrates that the Union is not established as a closed player on the world stage, such as the nzz.ch analyzed. In addition, economic weaknesses, reinforced by the Ukraine war and rising energy prices, have tightened the challenges for the EU. Dependencies on energy and raw material imports from Russia and China represent further economic risks, while inflation reduction act in the USA and Chinese subsidies put a strain on the competitiveness of Europe.

Trump's return could cause new trade policy tensions, possibly also in the form of tariffs. In a geopolitical environment in which Russia and China consider the West to be weak and trying to dominate, the need for cooperation with the USA becomes clear. Europeans have to orientate themselves in this new geopolitical era and strive for a deeper partnership with other democracies, especially the USA. Europe urgently needs a new guiding principle for transatlantic cooperation.