In an interview with WDR, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schlie analyzes the foreign and security policy consequences of Donald Trump's re-election. He sees transatlantic relations in a deep crisis: Trump openly questions NATO and deliberately spreads uncertainty among the US's partners. For Schlie, it is clear that Europe—and Germany in particular—must now develop strategic independence and show backbone.
Trump's policies follow a logic of national self-interest, often using pressure tactics such as tariffs. During his first term in office, the EU already had to recognize that the global political situation had changed fundamentally – and that blind reliance on the United States was no longer viable. Vladimir Putin is deliberately exploiting this development to further deepen the alienation between Europe and America. At the same time, Schlie says, Trump's unpredictability could also be dangerous for Russia.
Schlie is particularly concerned about Ukraine: its pro-European orientation must not be abandoned now under any circumstances. NATO remains a strategically important alliance – also for the US. Europe must communicate this clearly to the new US administration in order to maintain unity and relevance.