Will Trump impose tariffs on European goods, push up defense spending and withdraw from the Paris climate agreement? In Brussels, the European Commission and the European Parliament are awaiting Trump's inauguration speech and the first hectic days and weeks, which will provide an indication of how far Trump will actually take the rhetoric from the election campaign.
- I expect the unexpected in the next four years. Because that's how I think it will be with him, says Vice-President of the European Parliament, Christel Schaldemose (S).
Trump's statements could put heavy pressure on Europe's economy, which is already under pressure from the war in Ukraine and high energy prices.
The uncertainty before Trump's inauguration has not been diminished by the fact that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, does not appear to be high on Trump's contact list. Von der Leyen has spoken to Trump on the phone after his election victory, but she has not been invited to Monday's inauguration ceremony. And there is still no date for a meeting between the EU system's top leader and Trump.
- There are attempts to establish a meeting, but so far we do not have a concrete date, said a spokesperson for the European Commission on Monday.
On the other hand, Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, is taking on the leading role for Europe. She is attending the inauguration after she also visited Trump at his home Mar-a-Lago in Florida and met Elon Musk. Meloni thus currently looks like Europe's voice in Trump country.
- Meloni has proven to be a team player, so she can be one of our entrances to the American president, says Christel Schaldemose.
The Danish Democrats are in the same national conservative party group, ECR, as Meloni's party, the Brothers of Italy, in the European Parliament. The Danish Democrats' member of the European Parliament, Kristoffer Storm, therefore not surprisingly hopes that Meloni can become a strong voice in Europe's talks with Trump.
- Meloni wants to build bridges between those the others do not want to talk to. Orbán for example. That is why she could very well have an exciting role in relation to Trump. Because there are also many who have a strained relationship with Trump because of the way he is unfolding, says Kristoffer Storm.
In Trump's start-up, he will particularly keep an eye on the risk of a "trade war" between Europe and the United States.
- Trump is known for speaking with very big words and so often gradually slipping away and ending up with what he believes is the right decision. But if tariffs are specifically mentioned in the inauguration speech, then he has to deliver on it, says Kristoffer Storm.
During the election campaign, Trump warned of a universal tariff of 10-20 percent. on European and thus Danish goods.
However, Von der Leyen has opened up for increased European purchases of, among other things, LNG gas to communicate with Trump and avoid tariffs. This could be an example of cooperation with Trump that could end up benefiting Europe, says Kristoffer Storm.
- We in Europe may have to change some things that may initially seem extreme and a bit scary, but which may ultimately turn out to be really good, says Kristoffer Storm.
He highlights that instead of buying gas from Russia, Europe is, for example, starting to buy more gas from the United States. Or that Europe is increasing its defense spending in light of Trump's demands, but is thus also better equipped to defend itself.
/ritzau/
