Europe Could Learn from Trump's Example

ANALYST'S VOICE – The Brussels elite stands completely unprepared in the face of the changed geopolitical environment.

Fotó: AFP Forrás: AFP or licensors/European Council President Antonio Costa (L) welcomes Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban as he arrives for an informal EU leaders’ retreat at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels on February 3, 2025. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / POOL / AFP

Upon hearing the news, the American president immediately announced a 25% import tariff on all Colombian products, with a provision that if the dispute persisted for a week, the rate would rise to 50%. Additionally, a visa and travel ban was imposed on all Colombian government officials and their family members. Donald Trump denounced Colombia’s actions as a violation of American national security, public safety, and international law, which mandates that a country must accept the return of its nationals who have committed crimes abroad. It did not take long 

for the Colombian government to accept all of President Trump’s conditions, including the unrestricted acceptance of deported illegal migrants from the U.S. They even agreed to assist the deportation process using military aircraft. The White House indicated that the planned tariff hikes and sanctions would only be implemented, if Colombia violated the agreement.

Trump also imposed punitive tariffs on China, prompting retaliatory measures from Beijing. As for the European Union, he has so far only issued threats, and no concrete actions have been taken yet. However, one thing is clear: Donald Trump is unwavering in defending his nation’s interests and is proving highly effective in doing so.

So, what lessons can we Europeans take from all this?

As Europeans, I believe we should ask ourselves why EU leaders do not represent European interests with the same determination and effectiveness as Trump does for Americans. Prime Minister Viktor Orban also highlighted this question in his interview with a Swiss newspaper, stating that Europe is wealthy but weak, which he said was the most dangerous combination. He personally experienced this on Monday in Brussels, where he attended an informal summit of EU heads of state and government.

PM Orban reported that, even in Brussels, they now acknowledge that, as he put it,

the Trump tornado is coming. Most still believe that they'll escape unscathed, but they won't.

He also mentioned that President Trump will stand up for American interests, even against Europe. Therefore, he believes that difficult months lie ahead for the European Union and that Brussels bureaucrats are in for a tough time. He also announced that the Hungarian government is in ongoing talks with the U.S. administration to secure a favorable economic agreement.

But what does all this mean? It means that the European Union’s leadership still has no idea how to respond to Donald Trump. They have no strategy for negotiating with the new American leadership. This is surprising, considering that Trump has never concealed his intentions—he made his policies clear during his previous term, as well as throughout his current campaign.

Yet, it's as if the Brussels elite was living in a dream world, entirely unprepared for the changed geopolitical environment. They continue to talk about prolonging the war until Ukraine wins, while they keep pushing migration and the gender insanity. 

By doing so, they risk Europe being excluded from negotiations when the Americans and Russians eventually reach a settlement over Ukraine. Furthermore, they are sacrificing Europe’s competitiveness on the altar of liberal ideology.

If, however, 

the EU had competent leadership - one not controlled by American Democrats and globalists, but acting in a patriotic spirit for European interests - it could, by following Donald Trump’s example, successfully assert Europe’s interests. It could eliminate illegal immigration, put an end to the madness of gender ideology, expel the Soros network that has infiltrated Europe, 

and create a more competitive continent that does not impose self-sabotaging sanctions. It is no coincidence that after Trump’s victory, Viktor Orban declared: European patriots, we must occupy Brussels!