Donald Trump, the oldest president in U.S. history, is using a time-tested political strategy: divide and conquer. This approach has raised concerns within the European Union (EU), which must respond to his disruptive policies. One tool at the EU’s disposal is the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI), a measure that allows the EU to impose a broad range of retaliatory measures against economic pressure. According to Niclas Poitiers, a researcher at Bruegel, a Brussels-based think tank, this could serve as a “mutual defense clause,” meaning any attack on a member state is an attack on the entire EU.
Additionally, the EU could utilize its regulation mechanisms to target the U.S. trade surplus, especially in the services sector. However, these tools may fall short in countering the complex political maneuvers of a president who dubs himself the “man of tariffs” and the “deal maker.” The EU is also wary of Trump’s behavior, especially as the U.S. has withdrawn from global agreements like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris climate accord, while also pushing controversial actions like the potential annexation of Greenland.
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The situation is further complicated by political and economic instability within key EU member states like Germany and France, and the rising influence of pro-Trump far-right parties. These internal divisions create fertile ground for Trump to manipulate tensions within the EU. Karel Lannoo, CEO of the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, suggests that Trump may strategically pit EU member states against each other to weaken the union’s cohesion.
EU officials worry that these tactics could undermine European unity, especially during Trump’s second term in office. With the political landscape in Europe increasingly fragile, the EU may need to adopt more aggressive measures to protect its interests and counteract Trump’s influence.
As Trump continues his term, the EU faces an ongoing challenge in maintaining unity and ensuring its geopolitical influence in an era marked by U.S. unpredictability.
This article is originally published on euractiv.fr
