Top EU official Charles Michel said the bloc’s future should not depend on the outcome of the US election and suggested that both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris would pursue protectionist policies.
Outgoing European Council president Michel said in an interview:
“There are some differences between Harris and Trump for sure. In the short term, it will be different. But in the mid term, in the long term, are we certain that it will be fundamentally different?”
EU countries are nervously watching the vote across the Atlantic next month, which could return the former President Trump to power.
Trump has infuriated Washington’s European allies by threatening to break up NATO, strike a quick deal with Moscow on Ukraine and impose trade tariffs. Michel said:
“In terms of economic partnerships, do you think that with or without Harris, or with or without Trump, the United States will not be any more a protectionist country? They are a protectionist country, I regret this situation.”
Michel also said the 27-nation bloc “should not reflect that we are afraid because we don’t know who will be the next president of the United States.” He added:
“I don’t want that my children will depend on who will be the next president of the United States, who will be the president of China, of Russia. I want my children, my grandchildren to be in control of their destiny, because it is in Europe that we decide what is our future and what is our destiny.”
The US and EU countries are providing major support to Kyiv in what many in Europe see as an existential struggle for the continent’s security. However, Trump has questioned whether US aid to Ukraine can continue.
Looking back on five years of chairing summits of EU leaders, Michel said he regretted the bloc’s failure to play a more active role in another global hotspot, the Middle East.
Michel’s term as head of the EU Council, which represents the bloc’s member states, is coming to an end and he will be succeeded by Portugal’s Antonio Costa on December 1.
EU countries have struggled for a unified stance on the war in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 a year ago. The bloc has also failed to exert influence to prevent the conflict from escalating as fighting has now spread to Lebanon. Michel said:
“We are the first economic partner of Israel, on the one hand, and we are the first partner in terms of development for the Palestinian people on the other hand. We should be more ambitious in using the tools we have on both sides to bring more stability.”
The 60th anniversary US presidential election will be held in less than two weeks. The date of voting will be November 5, 2024, and Americans will choose the 47th head of state.
