2 sides of Trump’s relations with “European mini-Trumps” in the next 4 years
Mehr News, International Group: Donald Trump’s re-election as US President It can have many effects on different political currents at the global level especially the extreme right movement in Europe; Currents that often believe in nationalism, populism, anti-EU and strict immigration policies. This report examines two aspects of the Trump administration’s influence on the extreme right in Europe.
On the front of the coin; The strengthening of the extreme right in Europe with the coming of Trump
Some experts believe that Trump’s victory will strengthen the political position of the elected European far-right leaders. “Lorenzo Castellani” from Louis University of Rome believes in this connection that the common views of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on various issues such as immigration to abortion and her close relationships With “Elon Musk”, the owner of Tesla and one of the close associates of the US President, he can make him “Trump’s main partner in Europe”.
“Peter Sijarto” the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, almost the same amount of ambition about “Victor Orban The Prime Minister of this country expressed and said: We can hope that the political cooperation between Hungary and America will return to its peak. Orban and Trump “have similar ideas.”
1. The spread of nationalism and populism
During its first term, the Trump administration emphasized nationalist and populist policies. These policies included prioritizing US national interests, opposing globalization and international institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations, and criticizing international multilateral agreements. Far-right currents in Europe, such as racist and anti-immigration parties and groups, strongly supported this approach and saw it as a model for their actions in their countries. With Trump’s return to power, these currents may be further strengthened. This could help strengthen parties such as the Alternative for Germany in Germany, the National Front in France, and the Freedom Party of Austria.
2. Strengthening anti-immigration policies
One of Trump’s most controversial policies during his presidency was adopting a strict approach to immigration. Policies such as travel restrictions for Muslim countries, the construction of a border wall with Mexico, and requests to strengthen border security were among Trump’s key actions in this regard. This type of policy was welcomed by far-right movements in Europe, who use it as a tool to limit immigration and prevent refugees from entering European countries. With Trump entering the White House, it can be expected that the extreme right in Europe will put more pressure on the adoption of anti-immigration laws and border strictures.
3. Impact on international relations and European Union
Trump’s re-election can affect US relations with the European Union. During the first term of Trump’s administration, relations between Washington and Brussels weakened due to unilateral approaches and criticism of the Union’s policies. Many far-right leaders in Europe also welcomed these anti-EU approaches of Trump, as it aligned with their goals and views against the EU. In Trump’s second administration, it is possible that the extreme right in Europe hopes that anti-EU policies and the weakening of international alliances will be more on the agenda. This can lead to the strengthening of anti-union positions and efforts for more independence of European countries from multilateral structures.
4. Approaches against democratic institutions and individual liberties
During Trump’s presidency, many of his policies and words strongly contradicted democratic principles and human rights. Among these cases, we can mention Trump’s continuous attacks on the media, the judiciary, and government institutions. Such approaches were welcomed in some European countries by far-right movements, who in many cases use Trump as an example to challenge democratic institutions in their countries. This process can strengthen internal competition in European countries and motivate political parties and groups that oppose democratic institutions and individual freedoms.
5. Stirring up anti-globalization sentiments
Trump, with the slogan “America first” and opposition to global trade agreements and international organizations, pursued policies based on opposition to globalization and the influence of international institutions in domestic politics. emphasized These views are in line with the extreme right currents in Europe, which are against globalization and the influence of international institutions such as the European Union on the internal politics of their countries. With Trump entering the White House, the extreme right in Europe may use these approaches to expand their influence and strengthen their anti-globalization slogans and greater independence for their countries. This process can lead to the creation of a new wave of nationalism and extremism at the global level.
On the other side of the coin; The possible challenges of the far right of Europe with Trump
Some analysts believe that some of Trump’s anti-European policies may cause a difference between far-right movements in Europe and Trump. These differences will be visible especially because of Trump’s trade and security policies, which are in line with the interests of the United States and to the detriment of the European Union and European countries. In the following, these challenges and their possible reasons will be discussed:
1. Trump’s tariff policies and their impact on the extreme right in Europe
During his first term as president, Trump implemented tariff policies against the European Union, especially in areas such as steel and aluminum. These policies led to the weakening of American economic relations with the European Union and caused the dissatisfaction of many European countries. While some far-right currents in Europe may support these measures as a symbol of independence and opposition to globalization, for many with close economic interests to America, these policies could be problematic. For example, far-right parties that have key industries in their countries may face high tariffs from Trump, which could harm exports and economic interests of those countries. Thus, the far right, which often cares about national economies, may be at odds with Trump’s trade policies.
2. Trump’s pressure on European countries to increase NATO’s defense spending
One of Trump’s controversial policies during his first term as president is the pressure on European countries to increase defense spending and meeting NATO’s financial targets. These policies may conflict with the priorities of some far-right parties that oppose militarization and increased government budgets. At the same time, the extreme right in some European countries may feel that these pressures from the United States mean interference in the governance of European countries, especially since many of these parties tend to distance themselves from NATO and the United States and pursue more independent policies. adopt in defense fields.
3. Trump’s anti-EU approach and its impact on the extreme right in Europe
From the very beginning of his presidency, Trump has criticized the European Union and emphasized with his anti-union positions that some international institutions and global agreements are for the national interests of the United States. are harmful While some groups may welcome these policies, other far-right groups in Europe who still believe in maintaining some ties with the EU and the single market may worry that Trump’s policies will isolationism and harm their economic and security interests.
4. Challenges of globalization and domestic policies
Another reason that may cause a difference between the extreme right of Europe and Trump is the challenges related to globalization. Although Trump is against globalization and is trying to promote the so-called “America first”, many far-right parties in Europe are using the benefits of globalization, especially in economic fields, despite criticizing the union. These groups may need free trade relations and improved economic conditions through cooperation with other countries, and for this reason, they may be dissatisfied with Trump’s economic policies, which are based on sanctions and trade tariffs.
5. Contradictions in foreign policies
The coverage of Trump’s foreign policy, which is heavily focused on US national interests, could be at odds with some of the alliances and international relations that the far right in Europe believes in. be inconsistent Many far-right groups in Europe tend to have close ties with Russia and criticize EU policies in various areas, including economic sanctions and NATO policies. With Trump entering the White House, his relations with Russia and his criticism of European Union policies may confuse or even distance some of these groups from Trump.
Conclusion
In the atmosphere where Republican Trump defeated Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris during the presidential election. won and will enter the White House on January 20 (1st of Bahman), there are two views about his influence on the extreme right movement in Europe.
The second point of view focuses on the challenges between Trump and the extreme right in Europe and believes that although some extreme right currents in Europe support Trump’s nationalist and anti-globalization policies, Strict trade and pressure on European countries to increase defense spending may cause differences between these currents and Trump. As a result, the extreme right in Europe may have a problem with some of Trump’s policies that benefit American national interests and harm European economic and security interests.
In this connection, the “Guardian” newspaper wrote in an analysis emphasizing that the public perception of the improvement of the political conditions of right-wing European leaders in the second term of Trump’s presidency is wrong. While Europe’s far-right leaders may align with Trump on issues such as opposition to immigration and international institutions, they also have significant differences with him. For example, Maloney’s strong support for the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO and his continued approach of asking for international aid to Ukraine in the fight against Russia, by the isolationists of the future American administration. will not be welcomed. Also, Orbán’s “comprehensive strategic partnership” with China, which Hungary has welcomed with open arms as a key economic partner and foreign investor, with an aggressive approach Trump is far away from Beijing.
