Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States on 20 January, this EPC Update will analyse the potential consequences of the new US administration for the EU and how Europeans can and should react to Trump 2.0.
Does Trump’s re-election mark a second turning point for the EU following the Zeitenwende sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? How likely is it that the new president will turn his political rhetoric into reality, and what are the potential economic, political and geopolitical consequences for Europe? How can the EU27 protect themselves against US unpredictability? Will member states be able to agree on a united approach or struggle to do so? What can Europeans do to secure NATO’s future and bolster support for Ukraine? Finally, how should the EU and its members react to the unprecedented degree of interference in the domestic politics of some member states, particularly from Elon Musk?