In a recent edition of State of the Union, European lawmakers convened in Strasbourg for the first plenary session of the new legislative season. Two familiar faces, Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola, were reelected to top positions in Parliament and the Commission. Meanwhile, across the pond, the drama of the U.S. presidential campaign intensified with an assassination attempt on Donald Trump sending shockwaves through Brussels.
Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, condemned the attempted assassination and expressed relief that Trump survived. The Democratic Party faced internal strife over President Joe Biden’s candidacy, while Republicans at their convention in Milwaukee celebrated Trump as a hero, confident in winning the upcoming election. With the possibility of another Trump administration, European leaders are preparing for potential policy shocks that may come with a reelection.
Majda Ruge, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, highlighted the need for European leaders to step up their efforts in preparing for a Trump victory. Ruge noted that a possible vice president JD Vance could bring about significant changes in U.S.-EU relations, particularly with his skepticism towards U.S. support for Ukraine and emphasis on prioritizing China and Taiwan in foreign policy.
As the U.S. presidential campaign unfolds, European leaders are closely monitoring the developments and bracing themselves for a potential shift in transatlantic relations under a reelected Trump administration.
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