European Unity in the Face of U.S. Protectionism
Former French President François Hollande underlined the importance of Europe sticking together in the face of U.S. protectionism on issues like security and trade. President-elect Donald Trump’s election win last week has fueled fears of an impending economic nightmare for the European Union after he threatened to impose an additional 10% in tariffs on these nations.
Economic Concerns
This would come at a time when traditional economic powerhouse Germany is dealing with an economic malaise and a political vacuum after its coalition government collapsed. There are also concerns over the Ukraine war and whether the U.S. could pull funding for the war-torn nation — leaving European allies to foot the bill.
Europe’s Reaction
Hollande told CNBC’s Charlotte Reed Wednesday that Europe must be worried. "Europe is today a continent that is not united. So what will be absolutely essential is the reaction to what Trump wants to do, particularly the U.S. disengaging from the European continent," he said.
United Front
"This is what France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, the four main countries that invest in defense, will do. If these four countries react together, both in relation to the security issue, the Ukraine issue and even the trade issue, then Europe will be respected. Otherwise it will be pushed aside," he added.
Broad Political Consensus
Despite Germany and France seeing significant political volatility this year, Hollande said there could still be a "broad political consensus" in these major European nations, no matter who is in charge, that could "firmly resist what Donald Trump may undertake."
Ukraine Peace
Hollande, the former socialist leader of France, led the nation between 2012 to 2017 and briefly crossed over with Trump’s first term. He recalled that Trump was often a man of his word. Trump has previously boasted he could "end the war" in Ukraine in 24 hours if elected, signaling that he would pull the plug on funding in order to force the country into a negotiated settlement with Russia.
Consequences of a Bad Peace
Analysts say Ukraine could then be pushed into a "bad peace" with its powerful neighbor, and potentially forced to relinquish almost 20% of its territory in the south and east that’s currently occupied by Russian forces. Hollande predicted that Trump will try to propose a peace with Russian President Vladimir Putin that will exclude Ukraine from the negotiations, which could potentially allow Russia to take territories it already occupies.
Conclusion
Hollande emphasized the importance of Europe standing together in the face of U.S. protectionism and potential threats to the Ukraine peace process. He believes that a united front from France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom could help Europe maintain its respect and resist the actions of President-elect Trump.
FAQs
Q: What are the concerns about President-elect Trump’s actions on the European Union?
A: Trump’s threat to impose an additional 10% in tariffs on European nations and potential disengagement from the European continent has raised concerns about the impact on the European economy and unity.
Q: How do you think Europe should respond to Trump’s actions?
A: Hollande believes that a united front from major European nations like France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom could help Europe maintain its respect and resist the actions of President-elect Trump.
Q: What are the consequences of a potential "bad peace" in Ukraine?
A: A "bad peace" could lead to Ukraine being forced to relinquish almost 20% of its territory to Russia, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for international relations.