EU sets up team to prepare for Donald Trump’s potential return to power

https://www.ft.com/content/cb4b8094-c6fe-4db9-b249-774f635c1b60

by EUstrongerthanUS

26 comments

  1. The European Commission has set up a dedicated team of officials to prepare for the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House, as the EU devises strategies to deal with a possibly dramatic shift in Washington on issues such as free trade and support for Ukraine.

    The closely held group is also determining what impact a Kamala Harris presidency could have for the EU, and how Brussels should be prepared to weather and respond to policy changes after the US elections in November, according to three people briefed on its tasks.

    “The [US] election is far from over, so it’s about working out what the implications could be, either way,” said one of the people, all of whom declined to be identified because of the confidential nature of the talks. “Key officials [are] discussing where we need to focus most.”

    The team was formed by the office of Ilze Juhansone, secretary-general of the commission, and includes a very small number of officials representing the commission’s relevant directorates that address issues such as trade, competition and foreign affairs.

    Brussels is deeply concerned about Trump using a second term in office to impose painful tariffs on EU exports, end US military and financial support to Ukraine and strong-arm Kyiv to agree to Moscow’s terms to end the war.

    European allies are also concerned about Trump making good on previous threats to pull the US out of Nato or significantly undermine the mutual defence clause for countries that he believes do not spend enough on defence

    The committee plans to step up its work in September and increase its outreach to EU governments to share insights and ideas on assessing the EU’s potential vulnerabilities and how to mitigate negative decisions.

    There is also a focus on developing communication plans in the event of a big shift in US policy towards Europe, such as the need for EU taxpayers to potentially contribute more to Ukraine’s defence.

    The commission said it was “preparing for the US elections” and that “all possible outcomes are considered”, adding that it was “committed to maintaining a close partnership with the US”.

    A similar group of officials preparing for a potential second Trump presidency has been set up in the German foreign ministry, officials told the Financial Times.

    The discussions come as senior EU officials seek to engage with figures close to both Trump and Harris, including the vice-president’s former economic adviser Mike Pyle and her national security adviser Phil Gordon.

    Harris and Trump are polling neck and neck, FT analysis showed this week after Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race last month and endorsed his vice-president at the top of the ticket. Harris has since raised a record amount of funding and quickly caught up with Trump in the polls.

    From Brussels’ perspective, a Harris presidency may not represent complete continuity with Biden, particularly when it comes to aid to Ukraine. Trump’s pledges on the campaign trail to immediately end the war could influence US public opinion on the conflict even if he loses the election.

    But the most far-reaching issue for the committee is what Trump’s return could mean for the EU economy.

    “It’s a discreet discussion forum to think about how best to prepare for Trump,” said a second person briefed on the discussions. “It’s just plain smart to do so.”

  3. If Americans allow him to win again, then there is no hope for humanity anymore.

  4. If he doesn’t win he will cry voter fraud once again, sue everyone he can think of and rally the brainless to storm Washington – oh sorry, this sounds like a repeat.

  5. I love living in a timeline where the world has to prepare for basically a 50-50 chance of the most powerful person in the world being a manchild.

  6. I think Harris is up to the challenge but better be prepared just in case the stupid happens again

  7. This is so dumb.

    Everything this team should be supposed to do if Trump gets to power should be what EU should be doing by default regardless of who US president is.

    Also Kamala has her own crazy ideas that if executed would put european energetic security in major crisis again and it would in fact be worse than what happened in 2022 because there would be no US to bail us out. It is just not being talked about.

  8. As in set up a team so that Germany can continue to give Russia more money.

    They really didn’t like how last time Trump tried to stop Germany from making Nord Stream 2 and giving billions to Russia.

  9. Good. Time for Europe to chip in its share of defense spending. We shouldn’t have to give more military aid than the rest of the EU combined while BAE, SpA and Airbus keep exporting their arms to third world countries and keep on profiting. Get moving

  13. Last time he was President, Canada had to set up a dedicated team in the Prime Minister’s Office and Privy Council Office (the Prime Minister’s Department).

    He’s so unpredictable and so damaging. At least one senior government employee was basically paid to watch him tweet.

  14. That headline is pretty shitty when you read the article.

    “The team will also look at the implications of a Harris win”.

    So, a group of people are going to come up with plans and policies around what happens either way in the US election, which seems very rational and sensible to me… I’d think it was stupid if they weren’t doing that.

  15. I bit late there to the party, mates. Trump is not happening.

  18. Might not be needed, the trump campaign seems to be in serious turbulence and the polls show Harris has caught up fast. 50/50

  19. If it’s any consolation, Kamala is ahead in a bunch of polls now and she’s out-fundraising him like crazy. The democratic convention and her VP announcement haven’t happened yet, nor have her debates with Donny, so those should further improve her standing.

    I’m cautiously optimistic about Kamala but also preparing a contingency plan if the orange fuck wins.

  20. Whoever wins in the US, Europe should take care of its own interests without depending on the US.

  21. Those in the know, as I will keep arguing, are preparing for it because this presidential race is already over.

  22. Why even bother kamala can just say nothing at this point she will win in a landslide.

  24. What are they going to do? Make memes, bitch and complain. Then, draft some letter of unity, which Hungary will abstain? Europe is inept and can’t lead as we see in Ukraine. It all falls apart when America holds back. They need to rewrite the EU Constitution so a unanimous decision is not required to pass resolutions, agree on a single continental language (English) and stop being so woke. They have an invasion in their backyard and need real men in the European army. Look at Serbia in 1999, America had to lead there too.

  25. This guy can just be a reason for a civil war in the US.

    Nut case on the steroids. And he could have the World by the balls

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