Genuine Concern : Today's DN editorial : Europe must prepare for President Trump

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Cornelius Hamelberg

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Jul 16, 2024, 2:00:36 PM7/16/24

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https://www.dn.se/ledare/nu-maste-europa-forbereda-sig-pa-president-trump/

Editorial :

Leader: Now Europe must prepare for President Trump

Trump supporters in New York. Photo: Beata Zawrzel/TT

It has long been said that Europe must prepare for Donald Trump. But Europe has essentially not done that. We have six months left. What do we do with them?

This is a main editorial written by employees of Dagens Nyheter's editorial staff. DN's political stance is independent liberal.

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What was the shooter's motive? How are Donald Trump, the Republicans—yes, the entire American community—reacting to the attack? The questions after Saturday's assassination attempt on the presidential candidate are still more than the answers.

On behalf of Europe, however, there is a very clear conclusion.

Barely a week has passed since the leaders of the NATO countries met in Washington. Stronger than ever, but also weaker than in a very long time - those were the signals that were sent from there.

Impressive unity has been on display in the past two and a half years, as sanctions have been imposed on Russia and arms packages have been sent to Ukraine. Sweden and Finland have become members.

And at the same time a palpable concern – for the host, and the host nation. Would President Biden stumble or make an embarrassing misstatement in front of rolling cameras? And what happens if he's not around in January?

Donald Trump threatened during his first stay in the White House to leave NATO. As for the war in Ukraine, he promises an end through negotiation with the Kremlin, something that was repeated as recently as last week, in connection with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visiting him in Florida.

Ukraine would be forced to give up territory, as well as its ambitions for membership in the EU and NATO - something else is unthinkable for Vladimir Putin to sign. In that case, the Russian dictator would succeed in his intention – to secure a veto over the path choices of other European countries.

At the same time, there is an obvious risk that the act drives the resentment. A more deeply divided United States, regardless of who wins, will find it harder to engage with the outside world.

Biden has long trailed Trump in the polls. The debacle in the debate less than three weeks ago has raised the probability that the former president will win even more. This has also been done by the assassination attempt and Trump's immediate reaction after the crime - the own voters are mobilized, the contrast with Biden is strengthened.

Many certainly hope that it won't be so bad after all if Trump is elected president again. The US did not leave NATO last time, the military involvement in Europe remained strong. Could he change his mind about negotiations with Putin?

It is of course possible to hope, but security policy is not built on hope.

Joe Biden called on Americans on Sunday evening to lower the temperature in politics. Donald Trump also spoke in his first statements about unity, instead of blaming the Democrats, as some of his supporters have done.

At the same time, there is an obvious risk that the act drives the resentment. A more deeply divided United States, regardless of who wins, will find it harder to engage with the outside world.

The Republicans' fight to stop Ukraine aid in the past year can be seen as an expression of just this.

Ever since it became clear that Donald Trump would try to get back to the White House, there has been talk that Europe must prepare. Europe has essentially not done that.

Building up military power and capabilities in the defense industry is expensive and takes time. Developing realistic alternatives to the US nuclear umbrella is practically impossible in the short term.

But the time we have had has not been well spent. Now six months remain. What can Europe make of them?

Ensure that Ursula von der Leyen is quickly installed as Commission President so that the EU gets solid leadership. Take away Viktor Orbán's rotating presidency of the EU, or at least stop him from traveling around pretending to speak for the Union - so that we project unity.

And then a mental preparation for the fact that on the other side of the turn of the year something completely new and very dangerous can await.

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