European officials hope for Trump's victory Experts’ views for Caliber.Az

Some European officials and diplomats view the possibility of Republican candidate Donald Trump, winning the US presidential election favorably, even if they don’t openly express this sentiment.

They believe that a second term for the ex-president could be beneficial for the EU, according to Politico.

Politico noted that senior EU officials and diplomats, who wished to remain anonymous, believe that Trump’s victory in the US election could inspire positive changes within the community. 

A potential second term for the Republican president is seen by them as a "bitter medicine" required for the fractured EU to overcome its internal divisions. One EU diplomat remarked that Trump's return to power in the US could serve as a "catalytic shock" that propels the EU forward, similar to the effects of the pandemic or the energy crisis.

How beneficial could be Trump's election as president for the EU? Is this person capable of assisting European countries resolve their internal divisions and strengthen the EU? If so, what specific conflicts could Trump address in his role as the US president?

Foreign experts shared their thoughts on this issue with Caliber.Az. 

Political analyst, publisher, and editor-in-chief of the Neue Zeiten journal and Neue Zeiten TV YouTube channel (Germany), Alexander Cherkassky, noted that he believes there may be a considerable number of individuals with similar opinions among European officials and diplomats.

"In this position, the implication is that the EU must independently address the restoration of its military capabilities. Europeans have become accustomed to living under the American protection, while diverting their resources to various, not always uncontroversial projects, such as the 'green transition,' support for social dependents, and accepting numerous refugees based on their leftist beliefs," he said.

"In my view, this opinion is grounded in reason. However, the internal disagreements among European countries stem from a variety of factors, and I don’t believe that the US position can significantly impact this," Cherkassky said.

US analyst Samson Katzman said that many European politicians view the potential election of Trump as a catalyst for the consolidation and strengthening of the EU, assisting to bridge internal divisions.

"This is a positive starting point. One hopes that Europeans are genuinely committed to moving in this direction. This primarily concerns the redistribution of defence spending within the transatlantic community. Trump emphasised this during his visits to Europe," the analyst said.

He noted that for decades, the majority of the EU's protection has been ensured by the US. 

"If Europeans are genuinely concerned about the threat posed by Russia, then why not invest a larger percentage of their GDP into their own defence budgets? If Trump's election leads to this, it would not only enhance European self-sufficiency but also promote greater fairness and integrity in the relationships between the US and its European allies," Katzman added.