Fri Nov 08 18:12:50 UTC 2024: ## European Leaders Grapple with Trump’s Return, Uncertain Future for Trade, NATO and Ukraine
**Budapest, Hungary** – European leaders gathered in Hungary this week, their discussions dominated by the implications of Donald Trump’s potential return to power. The future of US-EU trade, unwavering support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, and the stability of NATO are all hanging in the balance.
Experts weigh in on the possible consequences:
* **Philip Short**, author and biographer of Vladimir Putin and former BBC foreign correspondent, warns of potential shifts in the global landscape. “Trump’s policies, if he returns to office, are likely to be even more erratic and unpredictable than before,” Short said.
* **Donnacha o Beachain**, Professor of Politics at Dublin City University, adds, “There’s a real fear that a Trump presidency would weaken the transatlantic alliance and embolden Russia.”
* **Chris Weafer**, CEO of Macro-Advisory, a strategic consultancy firm focused on Russia and Eurasia, notes that “the outcome of the US elections will have a significant impact on the conflict in Ukraine and the future of European security.”
The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s potential return has cast a shadow over European leaders’ discussions. The meeting comes at a critical juncture, as Europe grapples with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the potential consequences for its economy and security.
First Piper 