The EU's strategy against Trump!

2025-01-23 17:42:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the European Parliament is discussing the geopolitical and economic consequences. So far, there has been no major action regarding relations between the US and the European Union, even after Donald Trump took office. During the election campaign, Trump threatened to impose new tariffs of 10 to 20 percent on imports from the EU.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advocated a pragmatic approach. "We will be pragmatic, but we will always stick to our principles," she said. Von der Leyen believes the main priority now is to discuss common interests between the US and the EU, adding that they will be open to negotiations.

The EU's strategy against Trump!

"Dual strategies" in trade issues

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šef?ovi? stressed in a speech to the European Parliament that the EU is now the largest importer of American liquefied natural gas. Around 50 percent of the EU's LNG, he said, comes from the US.

However, according to him, the European Union is ready to expand this strategic cooperation with the new Trump administration. "At the same time we are also ready to defend our legitimate interests if necessary," he said.

The EU's strategy against Trump!

This approach is perhaps what Bernd Lange, chairman of the Trade Committee, calls a “dual strategy.” According to this social democrat, the EU should negotiate where possible and defend itself from attacks where necessary.

Overall, Europe has not played a major role in the early hours of Trump's second term. This was also said in the European Parliament during the debate on Tuesday. However, there has been much debate in the EP about how Europe should approach the new president and his administration.

Trump only said he wanted to balance the trade deficit with the EU, either through raising tariffs or through greater energy exports, such as oil and natural gas.

David McAllister, chairman of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, stressed in an interview with DW that the European Commission is better prepared for Trump's second term. In addition, this time they have been in contact with the new government very early and have made it clear that tariffs and counter-tariffs would lead to a win-win situation, the Christian Democrat said.

European unity

There is an agreement among MEPs that an escalation of the trade conflict with Donald Trump must be prevented. Spanish Francisco José Millán Mon emphasizes that no one would benefit from a trade war.

Instead, the EU should strive for trade relations with the US, says this politician from the conservative European People's Party. In addition, he believes, Europeans should act together instead of trying to find individual deals with Washington.

Green MEP Anna Cavazzini also believes that "a united Europe" should be the answer to the "Make America Great Again" policy. Cavazzini calls on the European Commission to use the opportunities available to it thanks to the Digital Services Act.

The EU's strategy against Trump!

Especially in the context of Trump's closeness to Elon Musk, owner of Platform X, it was said that even large companies must respect European rules. The Digital Services Act provides that measures must be taken against content that is contrary to the law, under threat of fines.

Criticism and praise for Donald Trump

Clear words about Greenland were heard in the European Parliament, especially from Danish MEPs, such as Stine Bosse. He noted that the future of Greenland can only be determined by the Greenlanders themselves. Trump said that the United States needs Greenland for "international security."

Social Democrat Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis criticized Trump's decision to suspend the Paris Climate Agreement, calling it "a disgrace." The Lithuanian MP regrets that Ukraine was not mentioned in Trump's opening speech.

Praise for Donald Trump's first moves in office came mainly from the far-right camp. For example, Christine Anderson, a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is classified as right-wing extremist by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, praised Trump's inaugural address as "a breath of fresh air." She said Trump is restoring the country's security by closing the border and deporting all illegal immigrants.

At the end of the debate in the European Parliament, Trade Commissioner Šev?ovi? expressed his belief that there are no problems between two close partners like the US and Europe that cannot be resolved in a friendly and cooperative manner.