Brussels is deeply concerned that Donald Trump could use his second term in office to impose painful tariffs on EU exports and end US military and financial support for Ukraine.
The European Commission has formed a special team to prepare for a possible victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election in November this year. The EU is trying to develop strategies to respond to possible “sharp turns” in Washington's policy on free trade and support for Ukraine.
The Financial Times reports this.
“The US elections are still a long way off, so it's about finding out what the consequences could be in any case. Key officials are discussing what we need to focus on most,” a European official briefed on the group's tasks told the publication on condition of anonymity.
The team was formed by the office of Commission Secretary General Ilse Johansson. It includes a limited number of officials representing the relevant European Commission directorates for trade, competition and foreign affairs.
“Brussels is deeply concerned that Trump will use his second term in office to impose painful tariffs on EU exports, end US military and financial support for Ukraine and pressure Kiev to agree to Moscow's terms for ending the war,” the publication notes.
European allies also do not rule out that Trump will try to implement his previous threats to withdraw the United States from NATO or abandon mutual defense commitments to allies that, in his opinion, do not spend enough on weapons and the military.
This newly created group of European Commission officials will begin active work next month. The plan is to expand contacts with EU governments to exchange views and ideas on assessing potential EU vulnerabilities and ways to mitigate negative decisions.
Particular attention is paid to developing communication plans in the event of a significant change in US policy towards Europe, for example, if there is a need to increase the EU's contribution to Ukraine's defense.
Recall that General Ben Hodges noted that Europe has reasons to be extremely concerned about the likely return of Donald Trump to the White House, since the 45th President of the United States does not show respect for international law and damages NATO cohesion.
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