How Europe Should Emulate Trump by Philippe Legrain

Shell-shocked Europeans will be tempted to retreat and hope that Donald Trump does not make good on his most extreme threats, such as raising import tariffs and leaving NATO. But this would be a catastrophic mistake; Europeans must swallow their pride and try to capitalize on Trump’s desire for admiration.

LONDON – The re-election of Donald Trump as US president is a devastating shock for Europe, which is woefully unprepared. Trump’s promised protectionism threatens the European Union’s struggling export-led economies, and his transactional stance toward NATO endangers Europe’s already weak security. Ukraine could soon be sacrificed to Russia, and by encouraging nationalist fellow travelers like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Trump could ensure that EU unity is further undermined from within.