How do we respond to Donald Trump’s disruptive comeback to the White House and Elon Musk’s turbulent incursions into European issues as his billionaire ally?
As the 27-nation bloc balances protecting its interests with avoiding the wrath of the volatile US leader, EU lawmakers will begin the search for answers on Tuesday.
A day after Trump was inaugurated in under the US Capitol dome, their debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg is expected to shed light on the challenging issues confronting the ancient continent.
European Union leaders have attempted to convey confidence since the Republican’s election victory in November, claiming the bloc had figured out how to handle Trump and was ready for his return.
Campaign trail promises to “take other countries’ jobs”, slap tariffs on US allies and halt aid to Ukraine barely elicited a reaction as Brussels insisted it was ready, come what may.
But as Trump’s menaces and outbursts, including a threat to annex Greenland, piled on after the vote, some lawmakers have grown impatient with the EU’s wait-and-see attitude.
“We share a lot of things with the Americans, but at the same time we must not be naive,” warned Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, from the centrist Renew group.
“We must not let our actions be dictated to us by Donald Trump or Elon Musk.”
Lawmakers will discuss whether the EU can unite in the face of a belligerent Washington.
However, the parliament itself is split on the matter and, in contrast to many national assemblies, has limited actual authority, especially when it comes to foreign affairs.
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