Donald Trump has reiterated the criticism of Europe recently expressed in the US National Security Strategy. In an interview with Politico, he said that Europe’s top politicians were too “weak” and too “politically correct”, and that their efforts to control migration and end the war in Ukraine had failed. European commentators make suggestions as to how the bloc should position itself.
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Build up European defence now
La Repubblica published a manifesto signed by numerous political figures:
“As in 1950, we must focus on a crucial issue: the creation of a common European defence system based on a strengthened political union. Only a more federal Europe can meet these challenges and ensure respect for our values and fundamental rights – unless we are prepared to accept Trump as a global political authority in an ambivalent partnership with Putin and Xi Jinping. Faced with the security threat to the EU and Trump’s open hostility, as revealed in the National Security Strategy, we call on the member states in the European Council to establish a common European defence in accordance with Article 42 of the Treaty on the European Union.”
United North as a bulwark
Aftonbladet calls for closer cooperation among the Nordic countries:
“A united North would be an economic, geographic and military heavyweight — even compared with a country like Russia. Viewed individually, our nations are small, but together we have a significant labour market as well as world‑class research and industry. Together we could build a strong Nordic base within NATO — and perhaps, in the future, even within the EU. That would make us less vulnerable, both to erratic American presidents and to Russian imperialism. A first step would be for the Swedish government to give Denmark clearer support.”
Prevent the rise of right-wing extremism
Adevărul warns that the EU could be destroyed from within:
“Trump’s strategy explicitly relies on European far-right parties and movements that undermine the EU, weaken support for Ukraine, and echo Russian narratives. If these forces are allowed to shape the foreign policy of key states, the continent will be impossible to defend no matter how many tanks and missiles are purchased. The response to Trump must therefore not just be directed towards Washington, but also come from Paris, Berlin, Rome, Warsaw and Bucharest: in the form of clear rules on transparency in party financing, efforts to combat disinformation, a more serious press, and above all, politicians willing to tell citizens an uncomfortable truth, namely that security comes at a price. But if it’s lacking, the price will be infinitely higher. ”
Make AI-driven industrial revolution possible
Nobel Prize winner Philippe Aghion explains in El País how Europe could become economically self-sufficient:
“Deeply dependent on advanced technologies made elsewhere, and unable to generate the growth needed to finance its strategic objectives and future liabilities, Europe is a textbook example of why creative destruction – the toppling of less productive firms by innovative new challengers – matters. … AI could be a doubly potent engine of the kind of creative destruction that ultimately drives growth over time. … Fostering creative destruction and breakthrough innovation in Europe will also require complementary policies to help workers reallocate from lagging to more advanced sectors, and to compensate short-term losers from structural reforms. To that end, I have advocated a Danish-style “flexicurity” model, where the state covers displaced workers’ salaries while they pursue retraining and re-employment. An AI-driven industrial revolution demands nothing less.”
Cumbersome supertanker
Europe finds it extremely difficult to reform, criticises Mladá fronta dnes:
“Europeans set bold goals or invent a new slogan and then turn it into an idol. Any criticism is dismissed as sabotage. Everyone knows it, but this sluggish supertanker simply won’t turn. Mario Draghi could tell you a thing or two about that, after being tasked with writing a report on Europe’s loss of competitiveness — only to see his unpleasant conclusions met with lethargic nods before everyone moved on to business as usual. … Now Donald Trump, with his sharp tongue, has said the same things. As always, he provokes — but that doesn’t change the facts. The realities behind Europe’s deceptive façade of self‑satisfaction speak for themselves.”
Learn to understand the criticism
As Europeans, we should reflect on how the United States forms its opinions about Europe, writes Večernji list:
“Americans see Europeans above all as ineffectual moralists who are not willing to say what compromises they want on issues like Ukraine, for instance, but only what compromises they don’t want. They also believe that Europe lives well at America’s expense, while the US takes care of Europe’s major geopolitical and military problems and Europeans spend their money on social welfare, healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits. Why should the Europeans bother to stop a war on their continent or strengthen their militaries when they can work a bit less and live a bit better instead – this is how Americans see the situation. … This is painful for Americans. Even if we don’t share their view, we should try to understand it.”