EU prepares for potential Trump victory – WaPo
The EU is reportedly preparing for the possibility of Donald Trump’s reelection and is also aiming to reduce its reliance on the US. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The EU is preparing for the possibility of former US President Donald Trump returning to power, according to a report from the Washington Post citing insights from over a dozen European politicians, diplomats, and policymakers.
The discussions revealed that the bloc is working to reduce its dependence on the US, regardless of the election outcome. Policymakers have expressed increasing confidence, bolstered by their experience during Trump’s first term. However, they have also developed various contingency plans to address the situation should Trump defeat his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
“One thing is clear: We’re not sitting here like a rabbit caught in headlights. Regardless of who wins the US election, the focus of US attention in the future will increasingly be on the Indo-Pacific. Europeans will have to do even more for their security,” stated Michael Stempfle, a spokesman for the German Defense Ministry.
The EU is actively seeking ways to “Trump proof” its security, especially considering that during his previous administration, Trump pressed NATO allies to increase their contributions to collective security and even hinted at possibly withdrawing from the US-led alliance, which would leave Europe vulnerable. While this approach is primarily associated with the former president, it is anticipated that similar attitudes may persist under other leadership in the White House.
“It is a fact that Joe Biden is probably the last president who is truly transatlantic in the traditional sense – in terms of his character and career,” remarked Thomas Erndl, deputy chair of Germany’s parliamentary committee for foreign affairs. “That is why Europe must take on more responsibility, especially when it comes to security.”
Additionally, the bloc is bracing itself for another potential trade conflict with Trump. During his previous term, he enacted significant tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union and has vowed to escalate these measures if he returns to office.
To counter any possible actions from Washington, EU officials have prepared lists of retaliatory tariffs and are considering proposals to challenge perceived unfair trade practices from China instead, as noted by unnamed EU officials.
“I think there’s a sense that we should be better prepared and not think that just because we hope a trade war doesn’t happen, it won’t,” commented an unnamed EU diplomat.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
The discussions revealed that the bloc is working to reduce its dependence on the US, regardless of the election outcome. Policymakers have expressed increasing confidence, bolstered by their experience during Trump’s first term. However, they have also developed various contingency plans to address the situation should Trump defeat his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.
“One thing is clear: We’re not sitting here like a rabbit caught in headlights. Regardless of who wins the US election, the focus of US attention in the future will increasingly be on the Indo-Pacific. Europeans will have to do even more for their security,” stated Michael Stempfle, a spokesman for the German Defense Ministry.
The EU is actively seeking ways to “Trump proof” its security, especially considering that during his previous administration, Trump pressed NATO allies to increase their contributions to collective security and even hinted at possibly withdrawing from the US-led alliance, which would leave Europe vulnerable. While this approach is primarily associated with the former president, it is anticipated that similar attitudes may persist under other leadership in the White House.
“It is a fact that Joe Biden is probably the last president who is truly transatlantic in the traditional sense – in terms of his character and career,” remarked Thomas Erndl, deputy chair of Germany’s parliamentary committee for foreign affairs. “That is why Europe must take on more responsibility, especially when it comes to security.”
Additionally, the bloc is bracing itself for another potential trade conflict with Trump. During his previous term, he enacted significant tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union and has vowed to escalate these measures if he returns to office.
To counter any possible actions from Washington, EU officials have prepared lists of retaliatory tariffs and are considering proposals to challenge perceived unfair trade practices from China instead, as noted by unnamed EU officials.
“I think there’s a sense that we should be better prepared and not think that just because we hope a trade war doesn’t happen, it won’t,” commented an unnamed EU diplomat.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
