European Leaders in "Sheer Panic" Over Second Trump Term: Bremmer
In a notable turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump has moved a step closer to a potential second term with a predicted overwhelming victory in Iowa. This prospect is reportedly causing "sheer panic" among European leaders, according to geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer, who shared insights from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Bremmer, the president of Eurasia Group, revealed in an interview with Yahoo Finance that discussions surrounding Trump's potential return to office were prevalent at the forum. "Everyone's talking about it," he remarked, emphasizing the undercurrent of anxiety among European leaders.
Bremmer Raises Alarm Over Trump's Potential Stance in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict. The former president is perceived as unsupportive of Ukraine's position, viewing Ukrainian President Zelensky as a personal and political adversary. Bremmer suggests that a Trump-led U.S. administration could demand Ukraine cede land to Russia, potentially causing a rift within NATO and the European Union as member countries navigate their allegiances.
"This is the biggest risk that the Europeans have seen since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989," warns Bremmer, underscoring the magnitude of the potential geopolitical shift.
President Zelensky, present at the Davos forum, made a case for continued support from the international community, addressing influential figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Bremmer emphasizes that the concern over a Trump victory in November is not limited to private discussions. Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, has publicly expressed worry. Lagarde told France 2 TV, "If we draw lessons from history, by which I mean to say the manner in which he (Trump) carried out the first four years of his mandate, it is clearly a threat."
Beyond European leaders, Bremmer points to a broader concern, labeling the United States as a "democracy in crisis." In his recent "Top Risks" report, he identified "The United States vs. Itself" as the primary risk for 2024, indicating internal challenges facing the nation.
As the world watches the unfolding political dynamics, the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency continues to be a focal point of global discussions, with implications that stretch far beyond national borders.
