As Europe grapples with internal and external pressures, its coordination with key players like France and Germany is crucial. With former U.S. President Trump potentially returning to power, he brings renewed tariff threats, complicating the transatlantic relations between the EU and the U.S. This time, the stakes are higher as the focus has expanded from trade to security issues, with the U.S. holding significant influence.
Experts believe Europe will adopt a two-step approach to counter Trump's tariff threats: first, negotiate to resolve issues, and if that fails, resort to more robust measures. The challenging geopolitical landscape may push Germany to adopt a firmer stance, aligning more closely with France, which could lead to improved cooperation between the EU's two largest economies.
Currently, the EU remains cautious, assessing Trump's potential policies as he may strategically leverage trade and security issues to exert pressure. The EU's internal cohesion is also being tested by regional conflicts and political shifts within member countries. However, any aggressive tariff measures by Trump could unite European countries to defend their interests collectively.
France aims for a strategically autonomous Europe, independent of the U.S. and China, supported by its relatively low dependency on U.S. economic ties. Conversely, Germany heavily relies on the U.S. for trade and security, complicating the Franco-German coordination. Despite internal differences, external pressures could drive both nations toward consensus, bolstering EU unity in negotiations with the U.S.
