The President’s Inbox

Europe Reacts to Trump’s Victory, With Liana Fix and Matthias Matthijs (Transition 2025, Episode 4)

Nov 26, 2024

Liana Fix, a CFR fellow focusing on European security and transatlantic relations, and Matthias Matthijs, a senior fellow specializing in Europe’s political economy, join James M. Lindsay to unpack Europe's strategy for a potential second Trump administration. They discuss how political turmoil in Germany could reshape EU relations and the pressures of trade policies and defense spending. The conversation also touches on the EU's digital regulations amid U.S. tensions and the growing perception of China as a security threat, influencing European economic strategies.

39:34

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Episode guests

Liana Fix

Matthias Mattijs

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

European governments are grappling with a leadership void and differing defense spending priorities as they prepare for a potential Trump presidency.

Eastern European nations view a Trump administration as an opportunity to strengthen their positions, while Western countries face economic constraints.

Deep dives

Europe's Response to Trump's Victory

The reaction to Donald Trump's election victory has been mixed across Europe, with many nations expressing surprise and concern. In Germany, the government collapse directly after the election has created a leadership void, complicating how the country angles for influence within the European Union. Many Europeans had wished for a different outcome, as a significant majority preferred Kamala Harris over Trump, highlighting a disconnect between polling expectations and reality. Without strong leadership in both Germany and France, European nations face challenges in formulating cohesive strategies to address potential issues arising under Trump's administration.

Intro

2min

Europe's Reaction to Trump's Presidency

20min

Elections and Europe's Future

5min

Tensions Over Digital Market Regulations and Economic Security

2min

Navigating Complexities: Europe's Economic and Security Challenges with China

5min

Reassessing the Transatlantic Partnership in a New Era

5min

Liana Fix, a fellow for Europe at CFR and adjunct professor at Georgetown University, and Matthias Matthijs, a senior fellow for Europe at CFR and associate professor of international political economy at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how governments across Europe are preparing for a second Trump administration. This episode is the fourth in a special TPI series on the U.S. 2025 presidential transition and is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Mentioned on the Episode

“A Second China Shock, With Brad Setser,” The President’s Inbox

Liana Fix, “NATO and Ukraine: The Peril of Indecision,” Survival

Liana Fix and Michael Kimmage, “The Ukraine Scenarios,” Foreign Affairs

Matthias Matthijs, “Europe’s Leadership Void,” Survival

For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/europe-reacts-trumps-victory-liana-fix-and-matthias-matthijs-transition-2025-episode-4