A report from the Peterson Institute for International Economics suggests that policies pursued during the Trump administration—particularly on trade, defense, and multilateral alliances—have inadvertently strengthened European unity.
The analysis highlights how tariffs, withdrawal from international agreements, and shifting security stances under Trump prompted EU members to deepen collaboration on economic and military fronts. Countries previously divided on issues like defense spending or trade with the U.S. now show greater alignment in response to perceived unpredictability from Washington.
Researchers note that this shift isn’t uniform but points to a broader trend: Europe’s institutions are adapting to fill gaps left by U.S. policy changes, with potential long-term implications for transatlantic relations and global governance.
