Statement by EES President Dr Ingo Friedrich, February 17th, 2025

How Should Europe React to Trump's Politics?

Apparently, there is a world before Trump's election and a new world emerging after his election. In the “old” world, typically European values and virtues such as humanity, rule-based dealings with other countries, protection of minorities, international law, the global community of peoples, recognition of the UN, and peace without weapons were considered largely established and inviolable. In the new world shaped by Trump, completely different “values” or ideas take precedence: The law of the strongest takes precedence over the strength of the law. The number of soldiers is now a central factor. Which secret service provides better information? Where are the tech companies (Google, Apple, Microsoft, OpenAI, etc.) based? Therefore, something like a global Wild West is emerging according to the motto: Whoever can shoot best wins.

Now you can find it all completely terrible and make big speeches against it. But if you look soberly at today's world, you unfortunately have to realize that these “new” values have now become almost dominant globally. In this new, wild world, China, Russia and other smaller autocrats feel comfortable and at home. This is “their world,” so to speak, and this world began with Putin’s attack on Ukraine.

How should Europe React to this New World?

Howl with the wolves, i.e. join in and also become like that, i.e. “adapt” to this new world? This would mean throwing our previous principles overboard, so that is not possible. Then Europe would betray its soul. But: But just staying as we are as the only major power in the world, i.e. closing our eyes and wait until the world becomes “sensible” again? That's not realistic either.

I am convinced that Europe must pursue a kind of dual strategy: On the one hand, we should maintain our classic values (leaving out some exaggerations)! On the other hand, we should stop appearing and acting as softly and extremely politely and diplomatically as before: A rough wedge needs to be placed on a rough block. This also includes noticeably expanding our strengths - economic dynamism - and consistently and drastically reducing our weaknesses, especially in defense. This is where the most important tasks of the new German government lie.

So, we shouldn't hesitate to counter threats with our own ideas: If Putin threatens to attack a NATO state - for example in the Baltics - we can counter it and say that the Königsberg enclave actually fits perfectly into the EU and its citizens would certainly like to enjoy the benefits of the Western world. If Trump wants to take over Canada, we can say that Canada is actually typically European and should be closely linked to the European Union within the framework of an association treaty.

And above all, we Europeans should not make ourselves smaller than we are. Economically, we are a giant in global competition and if we act as one and combine our military forces and use the experience with the latest technical weapons of war from Ukraine, then Putin would get a pretty bloody nose with Europe. He won't take the risk, especially since the nuclear shield remains. In addition, Putin's regime is visibly wobbling if you compare inflation (11 percent), central bank interest rates (21 percent) and loss figures (approx. 200,000 dead and wounded) with the existing potential (gross national product is on the same scale as Spain).

Furthermore, Trump will not simply send Europe into the desert. Without Europe, his deals become quite difficult and less significant; he also needs a western and prosperous Europe.

Conclusion: for Europe it is important to analyze the situation soberly and courageously and make the best of it in an ice-cold manner. Remember: in every challenge there is also an opportunity. The European Union, as the heir and successor to the Roman Empire, has overcome and survived completely different crises over the last 2,000 years. Make Europe Great Again: MEGA!

Dr. Ingo Friedrich