BRUSSELS — The European Union presidency warned Tuesday that the foundations of democracy will be tested in November’s U.S. elections, envisioning a scenario in which the longstanding transatlantic alliance could collapse further.
Prime Minister Alexandre De Croo of Belgiumwhose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU, said that “if 2024 brings us ‘America First’ again, it really is more than ever ‘Europe Alone.’
De Croo spoke in a speech to the European Parliament just hours later landslide victory for former President Donald Trump in the Iowa Republican Party caucuses.
His remarks are reminiscent of the Trump administration from 2017 to 2021, when relations between the United States and Europe collapsed due to near-constant transatlantic wrangling over trade, security and military cooperation that eroded trust and Cooperation.
De Croo said the EU of 27 should quickly learn to be more self-reliant and that if Trump wins in November, “we should not, as Europeans, fear that prospect.” We should accept it.
Referring to the upcoming European Parliament elections in June, he said it was “a year where our democracies and our freedoms will be tested”.
“Not just for the election of this House, but also for the American Congress and the American presidency,” De Croo added.
