His return Donald Trump in the White House caused a tremor in Brussels, which is now looking not only for a joint step of the Europeans in the new order of things, but also for a leader who will speak the language of Trump in the context of the necessary broader understanding of the West.
“Brussels had rested on the script of a Kamala Harris victory and the fact that they could continue to sweep the perennial problems under the carpet, buying more time” a source from the center-right European People’s Party (EPP), the largest political group in Europe, told Vima. Paris, Berlin, Rome, Warsaw and London have formed an informal alliance aimed at forging a common European line.
They already held a first meeting on November 7 in Budapest, on the sidelines of the European Political Community forum, where the head of the European Council also participated Charles Michel with the President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The focus is on the possible imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration on European exports, and the composition of the informal group is no accident.
According to Eurostat, in 2023 Germany exported products worth 157.7 billion euros, Italy 67.2 billion, France 43.8 billion, Poland 11 billion, while British exports in 2024 were 226 billion . euros.
Everyone in Brussels knows that politically a broader coordination will be required that will not be limited to the issue of tariffs. However, the political balance in the EU does not favor this.
Orban and Meloni
The Republican Party has traditionally been close to the EPP, until Trump took over. Since then, contacts have been cut off and now only the European Far Right represents the value and ideological system of the Republicans. After the European elections, the European Far Right under the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was significantly enhanced. Today it celebrates Trump’s re-election and looks forward to becoming the “bridge” between the US and the Old Continent. Orban himself presents himself as a possible interlocutor of his “friend” Trump. The Hungarian leader is on the Trump line in Ukrainian and calls for an immediate end to the war. On the other hand, the Europeans – for now – have a red line in the support of Ukraine. Therefore, Orbán does not enjoy the confidence of Europeans, who are looking for alternatives.
The name of the Italian prime minister is heavily rumoured Georgia Meloniwhich is ideologically placed on the hard Right of Europe, between the Center Right and the Far Right. Meloni is on the European line for the Ukrainian and at the same time supports Trump. It was no coincidence that the photo she uploaded on social media with him in her arms Elon MuskCEO of Tesla and a key financier of Trump’s election campaign, who is also said to be taking on an important government post. Meloni can also sell the “Eurosceptic” card, given that hardline Europeans excluded her from negotiations for high posts after the European elections.
A community official underlined to “Vima” that “maybe it’s time for the Polish prime minister Donald Tusk». Tusk’s pitch is for Polish defense investment to exceed 4% of GDP in 2023, which will satisfy Trump’s demand that Europeans pay their share of NATO. Before the election, Tusk had said that Europe should not depend on the outcome of the US election but, instead, should focus on how to strengthen itself.
However, he will find it difficult on the issue of Ukraine, as he has been openly in favor of supporting Kiev as long as necessary.
Draghi road map
The debate about Europe’s place in the global world began before the US elections, because regardless of who would be the winner, the estimates were that the US would enter a cycle of introversion.
Two reports requested by the Commission and processed by the Italians Mario Draghi and Enrico Leta they give the line. Key in both reports is for Europe to gain strategic autonomy in relation to the US by strengthening its competitiveness. The Draghi line is in the portfolio missions of all European commissioners of the new Commission, as Von der Leyen formulated them based on the Draghi report. In light of the new reality in the US, the mission of the new Commission is critical.
According to him Thanasis Bakolageneral secretary of the EPP, the Draghi report gave a road map with maximum priority to the strengthening of European competitiveness and there is a “strong Commission” to implement it. “The difficult thing is that each country will focus on the parts of the Draghi report that are positive for them […] the point is to have a holistic program for the benefit of all of Europe” commented on “Step”. He added that a total restart is needed, because at the moment Europe “not an investment destination for any company in the world in any sector”.
The 100 hard days
Next week the cycle of hearings of the commissioners by the European Parliament is completed and, as things seem, on December 1st the new Commission will officially start its work, almost a month before Trump takes office in Washington. “From December 1 onwards, Von der Leyen may face the 100 most difficult days this Commission will face” he said, stressing that each commissioner should develop in detail the goals to be achieved over the next five years.
For their part, the Eurosocialists – who agree with the Draghi report – are calling on Europe to look for alternative trading partners. “Europe must realize that its survival increasingly depends on its place in a new world order” said the German Social Democrat (SPD) MEP to “Vima”. Udo Bulman.
“This means that we must focus on developing partnerships with countries such as Brazil, South Africa or India, that we must understand our partners in Latin America, Asia and Africa, and that we must seek a better future together” he added.
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