EU urged to stand firm as Trump's policies test transatlantic ties
Nathalie Tocci, director of Rome's Istituto Affari Internazionali, has urged the EU to take a firmer approach with US President Donald Trump. She argues that past attempts to negotiate with his administration have failed—and that only strength, not compromise, will work.
Tocci, a former advisor to EU foreign policy chiefs Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell, believes Trump responds better to resistance than to diplomacy. She points to countries like Brazil, India, and Canada as examples of nations that have stood their ground more effectively than Europe.
During Trump's first term (2017–2021), the EU kept engaging with the US, finalising deals like CETA with Canada. But after his return in January 2025, relations soured further. By March 2026, the EU suspended a trade agreement over unpredictable tariff threats, shifting from cooperation to caution. Tocci also questions whether US security guarantees for Ukraine remain reliable under Trump. She suggests his policies are deliberately weakening the EU, making a tougher European stance necessary.
The EU has already adjusted its strategy, pausing trade talks and adopting a more guarded position. Tocci's warnings highlight the need for a unified response—one that prioritises resilience over negotiation. Her advice reflects growing concerns over Trump's long-term impact on transatlantic relations.
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