Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
Europe vs. Trump: Deterrence or escalation?
Mar 21, 2025
Mark Leonard chats with Tobias Gehrke, a senior policy fellow at ECFR, specializing in geoeconomics, and José Ignacio Torreblanca, head of ECFR’s Madrid office focusing on tech geopolitics. They dive into how Europe can respond to a potentially confrontational Trump administration. Topics include leveraging trade tariffs, targeting tech giants like Elon Musk, and implementing nuanced regulations to manage American influence in Europe. The discussion highlights the risks of escalating tensions and the importance of a self-reliant tech landscape to safeguard democracy.
30:43
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Quick takeaways
- Europe must utilize a diverse range of economic tools, including tariffs and regulations, to effectively counter Trump's coercive policies.
- The tech industry's influence on democracy necessitates European regulations that safeguard electoral integrity and counter foreign manipulation.
Deep dives
Assessing European Leverage
Europe faces significant challenges in navigating the aggressive economic policies of the Trump administration, particularly in terms of trade. It is essential for European leaders to conduct a thorough inventory of their leverage, or 'cards,' in order to formulate a cohesive strategy. The focus should not solely be on retaliatory tariffs that worked previously but should expand to encompass a range of tools across different domains, including services, intellectual property, and technology. Understanding these diverse options will allow Europe to effectively push back against coercive measures while preparing for potential economic conflicts.
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