EU wants Kamala Harris in White House – DW – 10/30/2024


If Europeans elect the next US president on November 5, the outcome will be crystal clear.

In Western Europe, 69 percent would vote for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, compared to 46 percent in Eastern Europe.

According to polls conducted in October by pollsters Novus and Gallup International, Republican candidate Donald Trump would receive support from only 16% of voters in Western Europe and 36% in Eastern Europe.

Harris has the highest approval ratings in Denmark (85%) and Finland (82%), while Donald Trump has the highest approval ratings in Europe in Serbia (59%) and Hungary (49%). The latter two countries are becoming increasingly independent.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stands next to Donald Trump, both smiling and giving the OK sign with their thumbs.
Hungarian Prime Minister and Trump fan Viktor Orbán believes that Trump will end the war in Ukraine within days.Photo: Viktor Orban X via REUTERS

Trump fans are a minority.

“It would be the best thing if Mr. Trump wins the election,” Andras László, a member of the European Parliament from Hungary, told DW.

László is a member of Russia-friendly Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party.

“Americans want change in American politics, they've had enough of the status quo and only Trump can provide that,” he said.

The right-wing nationalist politician added that a similar change was needed in Brussels. “Can we stop the escalating conflicts not only in Ukraine and the Middle East, but also in Southeast Asia?” he asks. In his opinion, only Trump can lead the international community in this.

Hungary currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, and Hungarian leader Orban will be in the EU this summer on “peace missions” to Kiev, Moscow, Beijing and Trump's residence in Palm Beach. Made angry. Orban believes that Donald Trump can end the Russian war in Ukraine within days. In October, Orban, a staunch Trump supporter, said a Trump victory would be a reason to open several bottles of champagne.

Orbán is the only one of the EU and NATO heads of government to hold this view.

Steven Blockmans, professor, senior research fellow, Center for European Policy Studies looks into the camera.
Nationalist politicians in Europe may feel empowered by Donald Trump's re-election, says Steven Blockmans (pictured). Photo: Martin Lowe/DW

“But many right-wing and nationalist politicians – from the Netherlands to Germany and Italy – certainly agree with Orbán,” Steven Blockmans, a senior research fellow at the Brussels-based Center for European Policy Studies, told DW. ” And “they may feel emboldened by Donald Trump's election victory.”

Harris's policies are more predictable

A majority of EU heads of government backed Harris.

German Chancellor Olaf Schulz said in a televised interview, “I know her well, she will certainly be a good president.” Scholes added that Harris “wants to stick to the things that are important to us,” referring to the transatlantic collaboration.

German Chancellor Olaf Schulz (R) shakes hands with US Vice President Kamala Harris.
German Chancellor Olaf Schulz would love to see Kamala Harris in the White House. Photo: SVEN HOPPE/AFP/Getty Images

What will be Europe's reaction to Harris's victory? “Absolutely a collective sigh of relief,” Blockmans told DW.

Harris's policies are more predictable. He said that after all, she has been serving under US President Joe Biden for four years. “Despite all the talk in Europe about creating greater strategic autonomy, the reality is that dependence on the United States, both in terms of security and energy, has increased.”

The United States has also played an important role in supporting Ukraine in its war efforts against Russia. Blockmans noted that as Europe tightens its energy ties to Russia, it has made itself increasingly dependent on US gas exports to Europe.

“They give people hope. Joining democratic forces in America and Europe would be a big win.” Dutch Greens member of the European Parliament Tanneke Strick told DW. In contrast, Trump is more inclined to flirt with and encourage the world's autocrats.

“They will be empowered by it and that is very bad news for democracy, fundamental rights and the world we want to live in,” Strick argued.

Prepared for all situations

David McAllister, a German conservative who heads the foreign affairs committee in the European Parliament, cautions against getting too high.

A future President Trump or President Harris will make more demands of the EU.

“We need to be prepared for both possible outcomes of this election. It's in our own interest to have the closest possible relationship with America, regardless of who sits in the White House,” he told DW. ” The tone will be different, but I believe the Harris administration will also call on Europeans to do more for our own security and defence.

German MEP David McAllister in front of a blue EU scene
David McAllister, a German member of the European Parliament, believes that whoever is in the White House, America will want more of Europe.Photo: John Thies/AFP/Getty Images

EU diplomats from 27 member states and the EU Commission in Brussels have been in secret working groups for weeks, discussing how to deal with the US election results, whatever they are. The main aim is to make economic and security policy as “Trump-proof” as possible, an EU diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

For example, should Trump impose punitive tariffs on goods from Europe after taking office, the goal is to be able to retaliate immediately.

'We need to do more'

“We are not ready to give up our interests without a fight. We have significantly expanded our toolbox,” Bernd Lange, a German politician and head of the European Parliament's international trade committee, told DW. is.” “I'm sure that after the election we'll use that toolbox to fight things that are already wrong, like illegal tariffs on steel or subsidies from the Inflation Adjustment Act.”

Long said he expects US trade policy to become more challenging for the EU, no matter who wins the election.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, center front left, speaks with US President Donald Trump, center front right,
The EU is trying to 'Trump-proof' itself.Photo: Francesco Sicco/AP Photo/Photo Alliance

“I would say that America is moving from a multilateral to a domestic approach to economic policies, I call it the 'homeland' economy. There is no big difference between Republicans and Democrats. [on that]” said Lange.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has a similar prediction for foreign and security policy.

At a press conference during a visit to London in late October, Pistorius said: “One way or another, in the future, America is likely to do less in Europe. And for us that means we should do more.” “

Polls show Harris' lead shrinks ahead of 'final argument'

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This article was translated from German.

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