European Union Confronts New Challenges Under Donald Trump’s Leadership: An End to Submission

TRIBUNE – Considering that European regulations such as DSA (Digital Services ACT) hinder American tech companies, Donald Trump has threatened to impose new customs duties. The overly attack, believes the former European commissioner in charge of the domestic and digital market.

Thierry Breton was Minister of Economy and Finance (2005-2007) and European Commissioner at the Internal Market (2019-2024).

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New threats of sanctions have just been brandished across the Atlantic against Europe and any official who would now apply the Digital Services Act (DSA), European regulation of large social networkswith new customs barriers and unpublished technological restrictions.

To what extent will we accept citizens of the European Union, submission? Submission to those who want to impose their rules, their laws, their tempo. Submission to those who now claim to dictate our great democratic and moral principles, our rules of living together, the very protection of our own children, on social networks? How, and in the name of what, would we accept to throw our laws (DSA, DMA) of digital regulation voted with lucidity, courage and determination by a …

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How does the shift towards “European strategic autonomy” represent a departure from the EU’s past relationship with the US?

The Shifting Transatlantic Relationship

The return of Donald Trump to the White House has fundamentally altered the dynamic between the European Union and the United States. Where previous administrations, even those with disagreements, operated within a framework of established alliance, the Trump presidency is characterized by unilateralism, protectionism, and a direct challenge to the EU’s autonomy. This isn’t simply a continuation of past tensions; it represents a qualitative shift demanding a new approach from Brussels.Key terms driving this change include US-EU trade relations, trump trade policy, and European strategic autonomy.

The New Trade Landscape: Tariffs and Negotiations

The recently formalized trade agreement between the US and EU, detailed on August 21st, 2025 (as reported by The New York Times), exemplifies this new reality. While presented as a deal, it’s heavily weighted in favor of the US, maintaining high tariffs on specific European goods, particularly in the automotive sector. This isn’t a negotiation between equals,but a concession extracted under pressure.

Automotive Tariffs: The continued high tariffs on European automobiles represent a important blow to the EU economy, impacting major manufacturers like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

Agricultural Disputes: Ongoing disputes over agricultural subsidies and standards continue to plague transatlantic trade, with the US demanding greater access to European markets.

Digital Taxation: The US continues to push back against EU efforts to tax large tech companies,viewing it as discriminatory against American firms. This is a core element of digital trade disputes.

This situation forces the EU to reassess its reliance on the US market and actively diversify its trade partnerships. Trade diversification is now a central pillar of EU economic policy.

Challenging the Security Paradigm

Beyond trade,Trump’s leadership challenges the long-standing security architecture of NATO and the broader transatlantic alliance. His repeated questioning of NATO’s relevance, coupled with demands for increased defense spending from European members, has created uncertainty and distrust.

Defense Spending: the pressure on EU member states to meet the 2% GDP defense spending target is intensifying, straining national budgets and sparking debate over priorities.

Energy Security: Trump’s “America First” energy policy, including increased domestic fossil fuel production, undermines EU efforts to transition to renewable energy sources and achieve energy independence.

Geopolitical Alignment: The EU is increasingly forced to navigate a world where US foreign policy is unpredictable and frequently enough at odds with European interests, particularly regarding Russia and China.

The Rise of “Strategic Autonomy”

In response to these challenges, the EU is accelerating its pursuit of “strategic autonomy” – the ability to act independently in areas of defense, security, and economic policy. This isn’t about severing ties with the US, but about reducing dependence and enhancing the EU’s capacity to protect its own interests.

European Defense Fund (EDF): The EDF is a key instrument for fostering collaborative defense projects and promoting the development of European defense capabilities.

Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO): PESCO aims to deepen defense cooperation among EU member states, enabling them to jointly develop and procure military equipment.

Technological Sovereignty: The EU is investing heavily in key technologies, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum computing, to reduce its reliance on US and chinese dominance. This is a critical aspect of technological independence.

Case Study: The Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

The controversy surrounding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, designed to transport natural gas from Russia to Germany, illustrates the tensions between the US and EU. The US strongly opposed the pipeline,arguing it would increase European dependence on Russian energy and undermine energy security. The EU, particularly Germany, defended the project as a matter of economic interest. This disagreement highlighted the diverging strategic priorities and the EU’s determination to pursue its own energy policy.

Practical implications for Businesses

The changing transatlantic relationship has significant implications for businesses operating in both the US and EU.

1. Supply Chain Resilience: Diversify supply chains to reduce reliance on single sources,particularly those vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.
2. Regulatory compliance: Stay informed about evolving trade regulations and ensure compliance with both US and EU standards.
3. Political Risk Assessment: Conduct thorough political risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential threats to business operations.
4. Lobbying and advocacy: Engage with policymakers to advocate for policies that promote free and fair trade and protect business interests.

The Future of Transatlantic Relations

The EU’s response to the Trump administration is a defining moment for the bloc. The pursuit of strategic autonomy, while fraught with challenges, represents a necessary step towards a more balanced and resilient transatlantic relationship. The era of unquestioning submission is over. The EU is now actively forging its own path, asserting its interests, and preparing for a future where it must be able to stand on its own. EU foreign policy* is undergoing a basic conversion.