Summary
- A new survey for ECFR reveals people in many countries around the world are upbeat about the second Trump presidency.
- Many think Trump will not just be good for America but that he will bring peace or reduce tensions in Ukraine, the Middle East and US-China relations.
- In contrast, US allies in Europe and South Korea are notably pessimistic about the incoming president—suggesting a further weakening of the geopolitical “West”.
- Ukrainians are slightly more positive than not about the impact Trump might have on ending the conflict with Russia. But they are deeply conflicted about what could be an acceptable compromise settlement with Moscow.
- Europeans will struggle to find internal unity or global power in leading an outright resistance to the new administration. But the survey reveals that many in the world regard the EU as a player equal to the US and China—a strength European leaders should draw on as they enter the turbulent new presidential term.
- Rather than harking back to a post-cold war liberal order, Europeans should focus on understanding and seeing opportunities in the new world.
About the author:
Timothy Garton Ash is a historian, author, commentator, and professor of European Studies at the University of Oxford.
Ivan Krastev chairs the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and is a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences, IWM Vienna.
Mark Leonard is co-founder and director of the European Council on Foreign Relations.