There is a way to turn Trump’s chaos into an opportunity. Here is what European leaders must do

The port in Hamburg, Germany, when the 90-day EU pause on reciprocal tariffs against the US took effect, 15 April 2025. Photograph: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

This is why America first doesn’t have to mean Europe last.

Europeans have had plenty to mope about since Donald Trump entered the White House not quite three months ago. The US president has said that the EU was created to “screw the United States” and slapped punitive tariffs on European goods. He has cast doubt on the US commitment to defend Nato allies. He has cosied up to Vladimir Putin, insulted Volodymyr Zelenskyy and tried to settle Russia’s war in Ukraine on terms that would undermine European security. His vice-president has denigrated European democratic values, and his national security team has spewed venom in a Signal chat at “pathetic” Europe.