According to the deputy Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Mona Neubaur (Green Party), the first 100 days of the second term of US President Donald Trump have come to pass as expected. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post” (Tuesday), the economic minister described the situation as “disruptive, chaotic and impulsive.” As the US President increasingly reveals autocratic tendencies in domestic policy, his erratic behavior is causing significant uncertainty in foreign policy.
“Both President Trump’s plan to end Russia’s aggressive war in Ukraine by making Putin’s conditions the basis for negotiations, as well as the global trade war he initiated, deserve a clear response from Europe” she demanded. “We are ready to defend security and prosperity with our own means and strength. And we are ready to protect our economy with robust measures.”
Nathanael Liminski (CDU), Minister for Europe and International Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, comes to a disheartening conclusion. Liminski told the “Rheinische Post”: “The radicalized and unbridled ‘Make America Great Again’ movement has taken control, while moderate forces are being marginalized.” Thus, unpredictability becomes the goal, chaos the method and provocation the chosen means.
“America’s foreign and economic policy is less guided by clear concepts and more by the emotional whims of a capricious president – as seen in the turmoil surrounding the peace negotiations in Ukraine and the reckless trade bullying.” He warned: “Europe must not indulge in illusions and must be prepared for this unpredictability to continue to demand a lot of us in the coming years.”
The MAGA movement believes it can only win if others lose. “This should be another incentive for us to quickly secure Europe’s ability to act so that we are not left powerless on the sidelines of world political events.