US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on artificial intelligence infrastructure in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, US, January 21, 2025.
Carlos Barea | Reuters
Politicians from around the world gathered for the second day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, and there was one name on everyone's lips: Donald Trump.
The tariffs on Europe proposed by Trump, who was inaugurated on Monday as US president, have been a particularly hot topic.
Speaking to CNBC, here's what European policymakers had to say about what four more years of Trump could mean for America's relationship with Europe.
Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Prime Minister
“We share a strong transatlantic bond,” Sanchez said. “Our economies are very interconnected and I believe that a trade war is not in the interest of (either party), neither in the interest of the United States nor in the interest of the European Union.” said CNBC's Steve Sedgwick On the sidelines of the event.
“The trade war is kind of a zero-sum game. We need to focus on how to strengthen our transatlantic relationship, which is now more important than ever,” he added.
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank
Lagarde Welcome this fact Trump did not impose comprehensive tariffs on the European Union on his first day in office.
“I think it's a very smart approach on the trade issue, because blanket tariffs don't necessarily give you the results you expect. I'm not sure specifically what the outcome is, whether it's a transactional tool, or whether it's going to be implemented.” “It's purely a business tool, but I'm not really surprised,” she told CNBC's Karen Tso.
“This does not mean that this will not happen. I think it will be a more selective and focused development that we will see in the next few days or weeks. But I think what we have to do here in Europe is to be prepared and anticipate what will happen in order to respond.”
Alexander Stubb, President of Finland
“I take comfort in the fact that President Trump wants the United States to remain a superpower, and for that it needs allies — and I think those allies come from Europe. So, even though America is first, maybe Europe should be second, which is what it is,” Stapp told Dan Murphy. From CNBC: “It's OK.”
“I also feel good because he is a man of peace. (He) has just succeeded in achieving peace in the Middle East and I think he will try to do the same in Ukraine. Then of course there are things I think he will do,” he added. We find problems, such as trade tariffs, but we will see how we deal with that.”
Laurent Saint-Martin, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, France
Regarding the impact of the tariffs, Saint-Martin said: “At the moment, there are no new tariffs, so we will see.”
He added: “We know that Donald Trump, during his first term, President Emmanuel Macron worked closely with him, and remains an ally. Europe and the United States are friends, but we have to be realistic and pragmatic – if there are new tariffs, we will confront them.” “To respond,” he added.
“I think the election of Trump could be a real opportunity for us… We cannot be the last continent in the world that follows rules that no one follows.”
Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
Hoekstra said the United States “will be missed” after Trump The United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement – The historic United Nations agreement that aims to limit global warming.
“It's unfortunate. It's not completely unexpected, but it's unfortunate… given the pivotal role that the United States plays on the world stage,” he said. “It is the largest economy, it is the dominant power, it is the second largest emitter. So, for it to lose in international climate diplomacy sessions is unfortunate,” he added.
Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs
“If there is a need to defend our economic interests, we will respond in a proportionate manner,” Dombrovskis said. said CNBC's Steve Sedgwick. “We are ready to defend our values as well as our interests and rights if this becomes necessary.”
Elisabeth Svantesson, Minister of Finance, Sweden
“There has been a lot of focus on tariffs,” she said. “Tariffs are bad if they go up… but what we do, we have to do together.” “Sweden is very dependent on exports. So, of course, if more and more countries (impose) more protectionism, it's bad for us – but it's also bad for the global economy. It's not good for the United States to impose high tariffs.” . When it comes to Canada, for example, or Europe.”
Regarding defense spending, Svantisson added: “We have to do more in Europe. When it comes to Ukraine, it is an existential issue. So, I hope America will not (withdraw), but if they do, we must.” strong.”
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine
“I believe in America,” Yermack told CNBC correspondent Steve Sedgwick when asked about Trump’s position. “I believe in the American people. President Trump was elected president of the United States. He is the guarantor of democracy, and (America) is the largest democracy in the world.” The desire to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
He added: “I do not believe that an American president will be a supporter of tyranny and not democracy. We want to work with President Trump and his administration.” “I am sure that we will find real solutions and decide together how to (make) these solutions a reality.”
