European Leaders To Assess Trump’s Impact on Their Interests
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Approximately 50 European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, are gathering to reevaluate their trans-Atlantic relationships. They hope Donald Trump’s second U.S. presidency will avoid the conflicts and political missteps of his first term.
Adding to the complex situation, Germany, Europe’s struggling economic powerhouse, has plunged into political crisis following the dismissal of Finance Minister by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This raises the possibility of an election in a few months and another clash between the emboldened far-right and established European parties.
These combined developments “add even more spice to this situation,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
However, the repercussions of the U.S. election remain at the forefront of discussions.
“Our relationship with the U.S. is crucial, and we’re ready to strengthen it,” European Council President Charles Michel stated.
The 27 nations of the European Union bloc will convene in a separate summit once other leaders from the United Kingdom, Turkey, and the Balkans depart in the evening.
During his campaign, Trump threatened actions ranging from a trade war with Europe to withdrawing from NATO commitments and fundamentally shifting support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. These actions could have significant consequences for nations across Europe.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the summit host and a staunch Trump supporter, announced early Thursday that he had already spoken with the incoming president overnight, saying, “We have ambitious plans for the future!”
Likewise, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a leader of the hard-right, praised the “deep and historic strategic partnership that has always connected Rome and Washington.”
That partnership faced constant pressure during Trump’s first term, from 2017 to 2021.
In 2018, Trump’s administration imposed tariffs on EU steel and aluminum, claiming foreign products, even those produced by American allies, threatened U.S. national security. Europeans and other allies responded with duties on U.S.-made motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter, jeans, and other items.
The impact of the U.S. election outcome could be felt in Europe for years to come, affecting issues including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as migration and climate change.
Among the attendees on Thursday is Zelenskyy, who is expected to request further aid as his country defends itself against Russia’s invasion. The timing is significant, as Trump has pledged to end the war “within 24 hours” of being elected, leading leaders in Kyiv to anticipate a potential loss of U.S. support following Trump’s victory.