Europe at the decisive moment

Donald Trump's ultimatum, threatening 30% tariffs on exports from European Union countries, starting August 1st, may ultimately be just another negotiating ploy by the US President. But it shouldn't be taken lightly or indifferently by European leaders, because it's clear that, in Trump's mind, there are no allies or friends—and even enemies or adversaries vary depending on the interests he wants to protect. When he threatens ever more tariffs—which can only be considered "reciprocal," as he likes to call them, only wishfully—Donald Trump isn't trying to be reasonable or even remotely fair. He's only interested in obtaining the greatest possible gain, preferably leaving his opponent prostrate and at the mercy of new, harsh blows, as he became accustomed to seeing in Mike Tyson's fights in the rings set up in his Atlantic City casinos, when he was one of the leading promoters of the professional boxing circuit. At that time, Trump had a front-row seat to watch the boxer destroy opponents one after the other with the power and speed of his punches. And, more importantly, he understood how his intimidating pose and murderous stance can destroy an opponent's spirit and courage, even before the bell rings to start the fight.

Over the past few months, various approaches have been used to confront Trump whenever he advances with yet another wave of tariffs, brandishing numbers that, if implemented, could have the power to destroy national economies, sending shockwaves across the globe. Some have tried conciliation, others believed they could negotiate more "fair" rates. So far, almost all have achieved only a handful of nothing. And they remain at the mercy of Trump's new and repeated threats, even when they have accepted some of his demands. Take the case of South Korea, which agreed to shift a significant portion of Hyundai's production to the US, but ultimately faced a 25% tariff, the same as that imposed on Japan and other countries that had made no concessions.

The problem, moreover, is that it's already clear that Trump will continue to play to his position of strength until no one confronts him on equal terms. And if tariffs are currently being levied against the European Union under the pretext that the US wants to balance the trade balance between the two sides of the Atlantic, it's likely that the same blackmail will be used for other purposes in the future. Anyone who capitulates to Trump now will be at the mercy of new tariffs, as retaliation for ceasing to buy weapons from the US or deciding to confront and regulate major American technology companies.

That's why the European Union, even though it may suffer in the short term from a drop in exports in some sectors, needs to remain firm and courageous. While Donald Trump focuses on immediate gains, Europe must look to the long term, begin seeking alternatives for its production, and strengthen its strategic autonomy.

Crises, as we know, can be transformed into opportunities. Especially when, in this case, they allow for clarification of the true intentions of an America only interested in becoming great again, with no regard for the interests of its supposed friends and allies.

Although it remains a leading economic bloc, the European Union has been losing some of its geostrategic importance in recent years due to emerging divisions and overly bureaucratic and opaque decision-making processes. Now, if it has the courage to face Donald Trump face-to-face, it will have an opportunity to regain some of its lost importance. And, resolutely, it will invest in innovation, diversify markets, and establish bridges and partnerships with others harmed by the "America First" policy, as is already happening, for example, with Japan and Indonesia.

Always keeping in mind that the distinction cannot be solely economic. Resistance and courage in the face of Donald Trump will only make sense if they also serve to reaffirm Europe's democratic values, social justice, and respect for human rights.