Trump’s interests in Europe and the barriers they pose, EU expert explains

President Donald Trump began his new term with European policy goals that include a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a proposal for the United States to control Greenland, and using tariffs to counter a trade deficit with the European Union — all objectives much more easily voiced than accomplished.

“President Trump wishes to see a more independent Europe with less economic and trade power, but not an independent Europe that could challenge the position of the United States in the liberal international order,” said Virginia Tech international security expert Yannis Stivachtis. He shared insights into the Trump administration’s motives and challenges.

Partnership and competition with the European Union

“For all American presidents, Europe has been viewed as an essential partner for the United States. However, in this partnership, they see Europe as a junior partner rather than an equal partner. Moreover, the growing economic power of the EU has made it a strong economic competitor that the U.S. needs to deal with. The difference among American presidents has been how much independent Europe should be and what means can be used to ensure that Europe remains a partner,” Stivachtis said.

“A more independent Europe means less American engagement with Europe and less American involvement in European affairs. But this independence should not go so far as to hurt American interests. The question is: What do the Europeans want and what are they willing to do?”

Ending Russia’s war with Ukraine

“Given the current situation in the battlefield that favors Russia, no American president can terminate the war immediately unless the Russian demands are satisfied,” Stivachtis said.

The basis for U.S. interest in Greenland

“The geopolitical and geoeconomic importance of the Arctic is undisputable,” Stivachtis said. “The U.S. has only limited access to the Arctic through Alaska. Given the efforts of China to involve itself in the development of Greenland and the possibility of a Russian naval base there, it has become imperative for the U.S. to control developments in the North Atlantic area and therefore Greenland is of primary strategic importance.”

About Yannis Stivachtis
Stivachtis is professor of political science and the Jean Monnet Chair at Virginia Tech. He currently serves as director of the Center for European and Transatlantic Studies. His research is related to security/strategic studies with particular emphasis on European security and transatlantic relations, U.S. national security strategy, European global strategy, and the EU’s foreign, security, and defense policy. More on his background here.

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To schedule an interview, contact Mike Allen in the media relations office at mike.allen@vt.edu or 540-400-1700.