Trump Is Making Europe Great Again - A New Chapter for Europe?

March 12 2025 13:57:39 by PCLMedia

In recent months, former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric has shifted towards framing Europe as a critical player in the new global order. His often-provocative statements, positioning Europe as a continent of untapped potential and American disinterest, have set the stage for a reshaped relationship between the United States and the European Union. This development not only sends a political ripple through the transatlantic alliance but also signals seismic shifts in global economic dynamics, with Europe potentially carving out a new economic destiny.

A Shifting Transatlantic Landscape: The Economic Opportunity

"America has ditched Europe" could not be more timely, as many European leaders have observed a growing divergence between the U.S. and Europe. With Trump’s recent focus on “America First” and his apparent reluctance to engage in the multilateral, cooperative approaches that defined U.S.-EU relations, the traditional Western alliance is increasingly seen as a relic of the past.

While this may seem like a departure from the post-WWII order, it also creates a unique opportunity for Europe. The European Union, already a major economic powerhouse, finds itself with a moment to redefine its place on the world stage. With the U.S. under Trump now focusing more on internal matters and economic nationalism, Europe can leverage its diverse economies, global trading partnerships, and political cohesion to fill the vacuum left behind by the waning U.S. engagement.

European leaders are aware that economic interdependence and global trade demand a strong and independent EU. In essence, Europe has an opportunity to be a leader in the post-American global order—an economic and geopolitical "antipole" to the U.S. The question now is: Will Europe’s political will match its economic potential?

The Economic Power of the EU: An Emerging Global Economic Bloc

One of the most significant elements of this shift is the EU's economic clout. The EU is the world’s largest economic bloc, encompassing over 450 million people with a collective GDP exceeding $15 trillion. Its single market, which facilitates the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people, is the envy of many. With access to deep and diverse consumer bases and industrial sectors, the EU is poised to capitalize on the growing demand for technology, green energy, and global trade liberalization.

But the EU’s current position as an economic superpower remains under threat by several challenges, including demographic shifts, the rise of protectionism globally, and political fragmentation within its own ranks. The departure of the UK through Brexit, for example, added complexity to Europe’s political cohesion. The growing populist movements within EU member states—amplified by the likes of Hungary and Poland—present further risks to the stability of the bloc. However, this disruption might also catalyze innovation and reform, as European leaders and businesses look for ways to overcome these internal divisions and emerge stronger from this transitional period.

The Future of the EU: Can Europe Build Its Own Antipole to the U.S.?

For Europe to truly seize this opportunity, it must answer two fundamental questions: Can the EU overcome its internal political fragmentation to present a unified front in the global marketplace? And can it build the strategic autonomy necessary to reduce its reliance on U.S. policy and influence?

The EU is already pushing toward "strategic autonomy," particularly in areas like defense, energy, and technology. The bloc has recognized that relying on the U.S. for military security, especially post-Trump, is an increasingly risky proposition. With the rise of China and a more unpredictable American foreign policy under Trump, Europe’s security and geopolitical positioning will require more independence.

Economically, the EU has taken strides towards reducing its dependency on the U.S. dollar, including measures to boost the international use of the euro, particularly in energy transactions and trade with countries like China and Russia. The EU also aims to accelerate its transition to renewable energy, a move that could strengthen its global competitiveness, while also responding to Trump’s skepticism toward global climate initiatives.

Furthermore, the EU’s Green Deal and push toward digital sovereignty could redefine Europe’s role in global supply chains and technological innovation, presenting it as a more autonomous and self-sustaining entity. If successful, Europe could emerge as a center of innovation, investment, and trade that challenges the U.S.’s historic dominance in the global economy.

Risks and Uncertainty: The EU’s Internal and External Dynamics

While the future of the EU seems ripe with opportunity, there are significant risks. Internal division remains a serious challenge, with populism threatening to undo years of European integration. The rise of far-right and far-left movements, as well as growing tensions between member states, particularly between the East and West, could stall or derail any long-term plans for greater integration and autonomy.

Externally, the EU faces an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. The U.S. under Trump may continue to prioritize bilateral relations over multilateral alliances, pushing Europe into the arms of China and Russia, both of whom are eager to expand their influence in the EU’s neighborhood. Europe’s ability to maintain a unified stance on these issues will be tested.

Finally, there’s the question of how Europe responds to the growing multipolar world order. As China asserts itself on the global stage and the U.S. takes a more isolationist stance, the EU will have to make difficult decisions about its alliances and strategies. Will it align more closely with the U.S. in defense and security matters, or will it pursue a more independent, neutral stance, relying on its own strategic military and economic capabilities?

A New Chapter for Europe?

Trump’s emerging rhetoric about making Europe great again could be more than just a political jab—it may signal a profound shift in global economic power. The U.S.’s retreat from Europe under Trump’s leadership presents a unique window of opportunity for the EU to build a stronger, more autonomous future.

How could Malta be impacted by Trump’s trade war?

No nation is too small to escape the impact of Donald Trump’s presidency. Malta, alongside its EU partners, is certainly feeling the pressure on security and defence issues following Trump’s suspension of humanitarian aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. In response, 26 EU member states—excluding Hungary—agreed to continue supporting Ukraine, while all 27 committed to increasing defence spending, marking a collective pledge in Brussels to bolster military funding.

As EU leaders work frantically to find a solution to the war in Ukraine, particularly with growing tensions with the U.S., another American threat is beginning to take shape.

Last month, Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on goods from the European Union, accusing the bloc of being “formed to screw the United States... and they’ve done a good job of it.”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by stating that the U.S. tariffs would not go unchallenged. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez assured that the EU would protect its interests, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola declared that the bloc would act firmly and swiftly against any tariffs.

Trump has already imposed tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, and recently escalated levies on Chinese goods. However, the tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods under the North American trade agreement are currently paused until April 2. Despite this, the increase in tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s policies suggest that the EU could very well find itself next in the crosshairs of the American trade war.

However, Europe’s path to becoming a true global economic and geopolitical antipole to the U.S. will not be without challenges. Internal divisions, rising nationalism, and external geopolitical pressures will test the EU’s ability to unite and present a coherent alternative to American dominance. But if Europe can overcome these hurdles, it might indeed rise to become the global leader that Trump’s rhetoric suggests it could be—ushering in a new era of prosperity and influence for the European Union.