In this edition of our weekly talk show, our panel discusses efforts to ramp-up European defense, the escalating trade war with Trump’s America and efforts of the European Union to strengthen women’s rights.
Europe needs to be able to defend itself against Russia, with or without the United States. That’s the consensus in Brussels in light of Donald Trump’s increasing alignment with the Kremlin. The EU reacted with proposals for massive defense spending programmes worth 800 billion euros. Other countries like the United Kingdom, Canada and Turkey are part of the process too.
Are Europeans ready for a new geopolitical reality and defend itself? This comes with a hefty price tag. Germany is approaching the issue with a whatever-it-takes mentality… Should Europe be willing to do that?
Questions to this edition’s guests, all of them members of the European Parliament: Li Andersson from the Left group, Krzysztof from the Socialists & Democrats and Pekka Toveri from the European People’s Party (EPP).
When the Berlin Wall came down, Europe was jubilant. It symbolized the end of the Cold War – and the beginning of chronic under-investment in defense. Many European countries stopped mandatory military service and reduced arsenals and troop strength.
The gaps were filled by 100,000 U.S. troops and nuclear weapons under the NATO umbrella. That era seems to be coming to an end. Trump’s dizzying changes to the post-war order leaves European leaders scrambling to re-organize Europe’s own defense, no matter the hefty price tag.
The aim is twofold: to continue to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and to be ready for the moment that may or may not come – the moment America turns it back on Europe completely. Is Europe finally waking up and smelling the coffee brewing in Washington and Moscow?
Another topic: Trump’s long-term vision of replacing taxes with tariffs has already caused nervousness among consumers – and among investors, who hate nothing more than uncertainty. Yet Washington keeps punishing its major trading partners Canada and Mexico, only to grant deferrals or exemptions the next morning. Meanwhile, the EU hit back at Trump’s imposed 25% global steel and aluminum announcing retaliation. Can a trade war still be avoided?
Donald Trump hates the European Union. According to him, the bloc was only created to “screw the United States”. Now he’s on a mission to seek payback for past decades during which the Europeans took advantage of America, as he believes it. Is Europe prepared for an economic rollercoaster that could end up in a global recession?
Trump was elected on a pro-growth platform, but now the “Trump bump” risks becoming the “Trump slump” across financial markets. Can Europe escape such an economic downturn? Where should we look for support?
Finally, the panel discussed women’s rights in the EU. A few days ago, the European Commission unveiled a roadmap for women’s rights – the only mention of equality in its entire work programme. Last term, key legislation for equality was passed, including the Pay Transparency Directive, new EU rules on gender balance on corporate boards and the Work-Life Balance Initiative.
This time, however, equality doesn’t appear to be a priority. Yet, Europe remains far from achieving gender equality, with persistent pay gaps, gender-based violence and unequal domestic labour still posing major challenges.
