President Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again," is having an unforeseen consequence: fostering unity among European nations. Once plagued by low trust levels, the European Union (EU) is now witnessing a revival, with public sentiment climbing to two-decade highs.
During the early Trump administration, the EU grappled with a plethora of challenges — a declining public trust, the ramifications of Brexit, and a sluggish economic recovery following the global financial crisis. However, since around 2016, indicators began to show a steady upward trend in confidence towards the EU. Recent months have seen a further boost, as EU leaders have actively pursued trade agreements with rapidly developing countries, such as Indonesia, and established defense collaborations, including new partnerships with Canada.
Despite these advancements, the EU continues to face significant hurdles, including an aging population, sluggish economic growth, and an increase in populism that threatens its stability. The executive president of the EU, Ursula von der Leyen, confronts intense scrutiny as she seeks to reform the bloc's budget policies.
In member states like Denmark, previously skeptical of EU decisions, attitudes have shifted positively. “Support for the EU has never been higher,” remarked Marie Bjerre, Denmark’s minister for European Affairs. Interestingly, the approval ratings for American leadership relative to EU leadership have shown a marked decrease, indicating growing confidence in local governance compared to the U.S.
The dynamic political landscape presents both challenges and opportunities as the European Union navigates its way toward greater cooperation and trust amidst global uncertainty.
