US elections, what does that mean for us in Europe? Marije Laffeber (Rud Pedersen) delves into the consequences of Trump's re-election and what that means for the EU. With a new course that sees the US focus more on domestic affairs, Europe may have to take on greater responsibility in areas such as security, trade, and climate policy.

Now that the elections in the United States are behind us, Trump has been elected as the 47th President, the country will take a different course than under Biden. And that will have an impact on us here in Europe.  

Trump has the wind in his sails now that he is supported by a Republican majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives. This makes it easier to translate plans into new policies. At least during the next two years. In 2026, some representatives will have to be re-elected and majorities can change. In short: it is expected that Trump will rush to implement his agenda.  

America will focus much less on its international role, for example in areas such as climate, security and defense. Attention will be more on domestic affairs and that has consequences for the role that the European Union will have to take on.  

In the area of security, Trump was critical of NATO in his first term. In particular, the large number of countries that failed to meet their financial obligations to NATO. According to Trump, it was not the task of the American taxpayer to continue pumping money into an organization for security, if other countries would not finally start paying their contributions in full. Partly due to international developments, in particular the conflict in Ukraine, more EU member states have now increased their defense spending. To the satisfaction of NATO and the US.  

Now Trump has announced that he wants to end the Russian war in Ukraine in the short term. Whatever solution he chooses, it will mean that the EU will be more self-reliant when it comes to guarding its own borders.  

Trump has also announced a number of measures on the economic front. Trump wants to improve the American trade balance and bring back industry within the country's borders. His goal is to create more jobs for Americans and increase employment. 'Make America great again'. To achieve this, he has announced import duties of at least 10% on products from the European Union (and even 60% for products from China). This means that European products will become considerably more expensive for American consumers.  

In the field of energy and climate, a number of changes are also on the horizon. There will be a lot less attention paid to alternative energy sources. Trump has announced that he will fully commit himself to increasing the production of fossil fuels. Oil and gas and also making them available for export. He was also not a fan of the fight against climate change or a green transition in his first term. The US ignored the Paris climate agreement and now the President also plans to withdraw from this agreement. He will already turn off the subsidy tap for sustainable energy (including hydrogen and other renewable energy sources).  

Now that the US will focus more on domestic affairs, it is important for the EU to work together more and cooperate on major cross-border issues such as economy, trade, climate, sustainability, security. We will become more independent and that is why it is necessary to roll up our sleeves, work together and be innovative. This new situation requires leadership, diplomacy and good cooperation. Dutch companies, NGOs and governments all have a role to play in this to help build a strong Europe.