Trump Makes Europe Great Again: How US Policy is Changing the Old Continent.

US President Donald Trump is accelerating the process of European integration. Although he will not receive the Nobel Peace Prize, he may be awarded the Charlemagne Prize for his contribution to European unity, reports Gideon Rachman of the Financial Times.

Trump is provoking Russia, undermining trust in NATO, threatening the EU with tariffs, and supporting the far-right in Europe. This is forcing the EU to move forward. Fundamental steps towards European integration that have remained unchanged for decades are now gaining momentum, notes the author.

“There are three key areas to watch. The first is European defense; the second is common European debt; the third is closing the gap between the UK and the EU,” writes Rachman.

Many European leaders see a threat from the US under Trump, although some do not express this openly for diplomatic reasons. They also understand how reliant they are on American military support, which has functioned for the past eighty years in the transatlantic alliance.

“This is not just about money. The greatest dependence lies in American technologies and weaponry. Europeans see the difficulties faced by Ukrainians after the Trump administration halted the supply of intelligence and arms. Therefore, Europe continues to support American military aid but is preparing for the possibility of refusing it as soon as possible,” emphasizes Rachman.

As a result, it was decided to allow the European Commission to raise 150 billion euros for the development of the EU's defense industry. These new funds will likely be used in areas where Europe's dependence on the US is greatest, such as in air defense.

“Trump's recent 'services' to Europe include accelerating post-Brexit rapprochement between the EU and the UK. Leaders of France and the UK, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, are already cooperating on Ukraine issues. They may create a powerful alliance together with Angela Merkel,” notes the author.

Rachman argues that there will be disagreements and obstacles on the path to greater European integration. France and Germany are already at odds over how the new EU defense fund should be used. Each conflict will heighten the skepticism of those who believe that Europe will never be able to reach an agreement.

“But there were doubts and difficulties on the path to creating the European Coal and Steel Community in the 1950s and the single European currency in the 1990s as well. However, European leaders managed to succeed because the political necessity of an agreement was extraordinarily high. Every significant step towards European integration was driven by geopolitical shifts - first after the end of World War II, and then during the Cold War. And likewise, thanks to Trump, we are witnessing the end of the transatlantic alliance. Europe has responded to challenges with strength and ingenuity twice already. It will be able to do so a third Time,” concludes the author.