Europe is bracing for the shockwaves from Donald Trump’s return to the White House, as the continent’s ascendant far-right movement celebrates a figurehead while more moderate leaders sound the alarm over threats to democracy and a new era of US dominance. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, one of Trump’s staunchest European allies, hailed the US leadership change as the launchpad for a nationalist offensive to “occupy Brussels” and transform the Western world order.
Orbán’s provocative declaration came as a steady stream of European far-right and populist politicians descended on Washington for Trump’s inauguration, eager to bask in the glow of their returned champion. The guest list offers a telling glimpse into Trump’s political affinities, with fringe figures winning invitations while notable centrist leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were snubbed.
EU Establishment Fears ‘Domination’
The EU’s mainstream powers are watching warily as Trump settles back into the Oval Office, well aware that the coming years could severely test the bloc’s unity and core liberal values. French PM François Bayrou minced no words in cautioning that Europe risks being “crushed” and “marginalized” by an “extremely domineering” US economic agenda if it fails to stand its ground.
Spain’s left-leaning Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also urged Europe to resist the encroaching influence of a Big Tech “class” that he accused of wielding “absolute power” over Western governments and public discourse. The remarks reflect growing unease that Trump’s “America First” doctrine and ideological kinship with EU mavericks like Orbán could super-charge European populism at the expense of the establishment.
Populists Relish Trump Boost
Indeed, anti-EU forces across the continent are boldly seizing on Trump’s win as proof of the nationalist wave’s unstoppable momentum. From Italy’s Giorgia Meloni – who Trump called “fantastic” – to France’s Éric Zemmour and Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland party, populists of all stripes are flocking to DC in a show of solidarity.
Brexit architect Nigel Farage, reveling in the moment, tweeted simply: “We are so back.” The Trump-populist love fest has raised hackles in Brussels, where officials recall the ex-president’s open disdain for EU institutions. With their Washington ties strained, Eurocrats are scrambling to build new bridges to the incoming administration.
Democracy on the Line
But some EU leaders caution that the gravest danger lies in Trump’s potential to erode democratic norms. Orbán’s talk of an “attack” to “transform” the West has stoked fears of a wider illiberal assault on the post-war order. If Europe fails to offer a compelling counter-vision, Spain’s Sánchez warned, “we must fight back” or else allow democracy to wither.
We are entering a period of brutal competition between the big powers, the United States and China, with Europe in the middle. If we don’t wake up, our industry will be threatened, our jobs will be threatened — our European way of life will be profoundly destabilized.
Emmanuel Macron, French President
The specter of Trump unleashing a populist-protectionist storm across the Atlantic is clearly focusing minds in European capitals. But whether the bloc can mount an effective defense of democratic values while shielding its economy from “America First” aftershocks remains an open question – one that may define Europe’s trajectory in the turbulent years ahead.
Navigating the ‘New Era’
In the face of these swirling geopolitical and ideological crosscurrents, Europe finds itself at a generational crossroads. Can the EU 27 rally around a unified approach to Trump’s disruptive encore, or will internal fissures pried open by insurgent nationalists sap the bloc’s vigor and cohesion?
- Stakes are sky-high: European solidarity, transatlantic ties, and post-war democratic order hang in the balance
- Populists emboldened: Trump’s return super-charges European far-right, energizes anti-EU forces
- Can center hold? Establishment must fortify democratic institutions, economy against illiberal-protectionist tide
Orbán, for one, is brimming with confidence that the “new era” augurs a once-in-a-generation chance for Europe’s conservative rebels to reshape the continent in their image. As he proclaimed to rapturous applause on Trump’s big day in Washington, “The great attack can start. Hereby I launch the second phase of the offensive that aims to occupy Brussels.”
The months ahead will be decisive in determining whether Orbán’s populist clarion call goes mainstream or falls flat. One thing is certain: with Trump back at the helm in Washington and Europe’s political fate hanging in the balance, the EU has entered uncharted waters from which there may be no easy return.
Brexit architect Nigel Farage, reveling in the moment, tweeted simply: “We are so back.” The Trump-populist love fest has raised hackles in Brussels, where officials recall the ex-president’s open disdain for EU institutions. With their Washington ties strained, Eurocrats are scrambling to build new bridges to the incoming administration.
Democracy on the Line
But some EU leaders caution that the gravest danger lies in Trump’s potential to erode democratic norms. Orbán’s talk of an “attack” to “transform” the West has stoked fears of a wider illiberal assault on the post-war order. If Europe fails to offer a compelling counter-vision, Spain’s Sánchez warned, “we must fight back” or else allow democracy to wither.
We are entering a period of brutal competition between the big powers, the United States and China, with Europe in the middle. If we don’t wake up, our industry will be threatened, our jobs will be threatened — our European way of life will be profoundly destabilized.
Emmanuel Macron, French President
The specter of Trump unleashing a populist-protectionist storm across the Atlantic is clearly focusing minds in European capitals. But whether the bloc can mount an effective defense of democratic values while shielding its economy from “America First” aftershocks remains an open question – one that may define Europe’s trajectory in the turbulent years ahead.
Navigating the ‘New Era’
In the face of these swirling geopolitical and ideological crosscurrents, Europe finds itself at a generational crossroads. Can the EU 27 rally around a unified approach to Trump’s disruptive encore, or will internal fissures pried open by insurgent nationalists sap the bloc’s vigor and cohesion?
- Stakes are sky-high: European solidarity, transatlantic ties, and post-war democratic order hang in the balance
- Populists emboldened: Trump’s return super-charges European far-right, energizes anti-EU forces
- Can center hold? Establishment must fortify democratic institutions, economy against illiberal-protectionist tide
Orbán, for one, is brimming with confidence that the “new era” augurs a once-in-a-generation chance for Europe’s conservative rebels to reshape the continent in their image. As he proclaimed to rapturous applause on Trump’s big day in Washington, “The great attack can start. Hereby I launch the second phase of the offensive that aims to occupy Brussels.”
The months ahead will be decisive in determining whether Orbán’s populist clarion call goes mainstream or falls flat. One thing is certain: with Trump back at the helm in Washington and Europe’s political fate hanging in the balance, the EU has entered uncharted waters from which there may be no easy return.
