Awakening in Trumpland
Observing our political leaders’ responses to Donald Trump’s relentless assaults on the European Union is both deeply disheartening and profoundly frustrating. With his recent return to the White House, history has abruptly returned to haunt Europe.
Once a steadfast ally who championed a unified Europe for the sake of stability and security during the Cold War and beyond, the United States now seems intent on dismantling the very order it once helped create. Abandoning the legacy of Pax Americana, this confrontational US administration is now erecting barriers and signalling the end of the international, liberal—and indeed epistemological—order upon which we have relied.
Embracing epochal change has always posed difficulties, particularly for liberal elites. Our societies, shaped by ageing demographics and growing wary of instability, seem ill-equipped to meet challenges of such magnitude. We already struggle to adapt to technological revolutions that disrupt our understanding of intelligence—an industry now largely dominated by non-European firms—while facing the grim reality of environmental degradation and threats to the viability of our cherished welfare states.
Trump’s rejection of alliances and his aggressive, imperialistic posturing has opened the door to a new global order shaped primarily by brute force rather than international law or shared ideological commitments. Most troubling is his disdain for liberal democracy itself, now reduced to its bare electoral mechanics, vulnerable to manipulation by malign algorithms and data exploitation. Today, public consciousness is moulded through digital platforms, virtual bots, and orchestrated human trolls. The pillars of science, knowledge, and objective facts—once built upon research, rigorous methodology, and common truths—are eroding rapidly, undermining the very foundation of democratic governance.
As an intrinsically democratic, liberal, and multilateral institution, the EU stands directly in the way of Trumpism. The US administration’s frontal assault against Europeans extends beyond looming trade wars and withdrawal of security assurances. It increasingly targets the very fabric of European politics, influencing national elections through digital platforms sympathetic to nationalist movements openly hostile to the European ideal. A moment of clarification is upon us: a few European governments and some political forces are already aligning themselves with this emergent new order, while others are resolutely preparing to resist.
Yet, paradoxically, this fierce attack on the essence of European integration has reignited a dormant sense of European purpose. EU leaders now face a stark dilemma imposed by this hostile US administration: pursue deeper political integration as a safeguard against the erosion of national sovereignty, or retreat from Europeanisation in a misguided attempt to retain the illusion of national autonomy.
Europeans undoubtedly cherish the concept of sovereignty. But are we willing to pool our sovereignty further, understanding it as the best defence for protecting both individual and collective freedoms? If we wish to avoid becoming mere bystanders to history, we must rediscover the boldness and Promethean spirit that have defined Europeans—even in their darkest hours. There is, in truth, only one viable path: forward.
Rather than futilely competing with superpowers such as China and the US on terms we cannot afford, Europe must instead capitalise on the resources we possess: an educated population that remains the world’s largest, robust social safety nets, near-universal healthcare, and exceptional infrastructure. Above all, our strength lies in our proven history of cooperation and pooled sovereignty. And our conscious choice to break away from centuries of fierce competition and dispute settlements on blood soaked battlefields. For decades now, we collectively chose to consider every European nation as a partner and a friend. Our shared historical experiences offer a wealth of knowledge and genuine wisdom.
However, our greatest obstacle remains a lack of self-awareness about this shared history and a coherent vision of our collective future. This era provides a rare opportunity to realise that our accumulated experiences of solidarity, democracy, and shared responsibility are not mere idealistic dreams, but credible foundations for shaping the future international order, safeguarding democracy, and defining humanity’s role in a changing world.
The West, as Vladimir Putin’s ideologue Alexander Dugin asserts, might indeed be dying. But we, as Europeans, must remember that we are not merely the West—we are Europe. Whether we can think and act accordingly remains the critical question of our time.
text co-written with Alberto Alemanno, and published on Social Europe on 14 March 2025
Alberto Alemanno is Jean Monnet professor of European Union law at HEC Paris, visiting professor at the College of Europe, Bruges and Europe’s Futures fellow at IWM in Vienna. He is the founder of the non-profit organisation and movement The Good Lobby committed to equalise access to power.
