Home>What Trump Means for Europe: A Discussion Between Luis Vassy and Zaki Laïdi
15.05.2025
What Trump Means for Europe: A Discussion Between Luis Vassy and Zaki Laïdi
On 28 April, a round table of the monthly “LUNDIS DU CEVIPOF” (Sciences Po's Centre for Political Research) brought together Zaki Laïdi, Director of Research at CEVIPOF and Former Special Adviser of the High representative of the European Union (2020-2024), Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po and Kevin Arceneaux, Director of CEVIPOF.
The event was titled "What Trump Means for Europe".
« Trump means for Europe the end of a dream. It is very important as French people to understand that, for most Europeans, the security guarantees provided by the US were indeed a dream. »
Luis Vassy
President of Sciences Po
By its very nature, the Trump project aims to build, beyond the United States, a new world order dominated by illiberal powers. Those who, in spite of their differences, agree on a certain number of values, which clash head-on with those promoted by the European Union.
This is why Trump sees Europe as a major political obstacle in his path. This is one of the reasons why he shows a thinly veiled hostility towards it. That involves political support for illiberal forces, economic retaliation and a potential strategic abandonment for which Europe is not really prepared.
Will this project really see the light of day? Does Europe have the means to face it in order to defend its values, its economic interests and build its strategic autonomy? Are EU countries really unified to face this challenge?
« The Europeans have three challenges to cope with. The first is to protect our liberal democracy ... The second is the defence of our economic interests and values, which are intertwined ... The third and final concerns security. »
Zaki Laïdi
Director of Research at CEVIPOF and former special adviser of the High representative of the European Union
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