German MPs highlight China with Trump as president-elect

euronews (in English)

As the world is facing a second Donald Trump term, German MPs speak with Euronews about the biggest challenges Europe could face and the future of the transatlantic relationship.

Transcript

00:00As the results begin to roll in for the U.S. election, Europe is beginning to wake up to

00:05a new chapter in transatlantic relations.

00:08Germany, one of the U.S.' closest allies, has spent months this year preparing for both

00:13a second Donald Trump term and a Kamala Harris presidency.

00:17German MP Thomas Erndl says that Europe needs to ramp up its defense spending and prioritize

00:23its security.

00:24Every investment in a partnership must be justified by the voters and something must

00:30come back.

00:31We have to deliver.

00:32But I do believe that there are good reasons why we continue this transatlantic partnership,

00:38maybe even revive it even more.

00:41The rivalry with China will not be achieved by the U.S. alone, but only in cooperation

00:49with Europe, with a strong Europe.

00:52And that's why there is a good reason for the U.S. to continue the partnership.

00:58Transatlantic coordinator and FDP Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader Michel Link warns that there

01:04is more at stake for the world if Ukraine loses the war.

01:07We should never forget that if Russia wins in Ukraine, China wins too.

01:13So the idea to say, maybe let's shift some resources to restrain Chinese activities is

01:26an illusion to think that you have to shift it to Indo-Pacific.

01:30China is not an Indo-Pacific challenge, China is a global challenge.

01:35Look to Chinese activities in Latin America or in Africa or in Europe.

01:41And how does Europe want the results to unfold?

01:44American diplomat Daniel Benjamin says there can be major consequences for the economy.

01:49Europeans are overwhelmingly hoping for Harris.

01:52The polls are quite clear on that.

01:55They're quite worried about what will happen to their security arrangements if Trump's

01:59elected.

02:00They're worried about seeing 20 percent across the board tariffs.

02:04And they have very, very harsh memories of the last go-around.

02:09So if you're looking for a one-sided picture, look at Europe.

02:15The only pro-Trump constituencies here are on the far right and in a few countries like

02:23Viktor Orban's Hungary.

02:25It's clear that a new dawn is about to break in Europe, but is it ready?

02:30Liz Stroud, in Berlin, for Euronews.

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