The European Fee responded by calling Trump’s threats hypothetical.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Trump it’s as much as Greenland to determine its personal future. She additionally assured Trump that Denmark was ready to extend its duty for safety within the Arctic.
“It’s … fairly wild stuff to be speaking about … within the run as much as his taking workplace,” stated Ian Lesser, a distinguished fellow at Washington-based suppose tank German Marshall Fund.
“I believe it’s barely unlucky within the context of what’s a extra legit request on the a part of Washington to see Europe pay extra and do extra in defence.”
DEFENCE AND UKRAINE
Trump desires North Atlantic Treaty Group (NATO) allies in Europe to spend 5 per cent of their gross home product (GDP) on defence, up from the present goal of two per cent.
However many cash-strapped European governments are more likely to battle to get near that quantity, stated observers.
EU members are additionally nervous about what a change in administration will imply for Ukraine, which has been fighting Moscow forces since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly three years in the past.
Trump has known as for a quick resolution to the war.
Underneath present President Joe Biden, the US is Ukraine’s largest backer, offering army help in addition to humanitarian support. However there are fears Trump may reduce help and pressure Kyiv to surrender territory.
The EU’s prime diplomat Kaja Kallas stated Europe is able to take over management on the matter if the US is now not keen to take action.
PREPPING FOR TRUMP 2.0
Lengthy earlier than the US election final November, the EU had been prepping for the opportunity of a Trump win.
Caught off guard by tariffs on European metal and aluminum throughout his first time period in workplace between 2017 and 2021, the bloc is now steeling itself for a extra protectionist US administration and the prospect of wide-reaching duties from its main commerce accomplice.
The EU has already floated the concept of importing extra liquefied pure fuel from the US to appease Washington.
“The US is the EU’s greatest commerce counterparty… possibly they should dilute {that a} bit,” stated David Barrett, director and CEO of the EBC Monetary Group.
“As a result of if globalisation is coming to a degree the place it’s not fairly what we’ve seen during the last couple of a long time, individuals have to shift the main target and attempt to discover new markets.”
Whereas Brussels seeks to indicate a united entrance, the 27-member bloc has grown more and more divided with right-wing populism on the rise.
For some EU leaders, Trump’s presidency is an opportunity to bolster affect each domestically and on the European stage.
Earlier this month, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the president-elect at his Florida residence.
“My considering is that Meloni may truly attempt to play up the US in opposition to Brussels within the close to future and the Trump camp may count on that in trade for concessions in the direction of Meloni,” stated Giulio Pugliese, director of the EU-Asia Challenge on the European College Institute.
EU leaders stated they’re dedicated to strengthening the transatlantic bond. They stated Europe and the US are stronger collectively, however they’re bracing to seek out out simply how that aligns with Trump’s philosophy of America First.
