Ok: you don’t like Trump. But can his presidency represent an opportunity for Europe?

For once I will make an exception in my regular publishing about my professional specialities and will write as a passionate citizen of my Country, Italy and of Europe.

I have to tell you: I am sick of hearing people in Europe complaining about the election of Mr Trump to the US presidency! As if it was a surprise… The growing inequalities and the end of the social contract in many Countries, including the US and Europe, the loss of wellbeing for the large part of the middle class, the continuous scapegoating of minorities for the problems of society, the ignorance in which the people is kept… all this and more was hinting at a Trump victory. Likewise in Europe it should be surprise for no one the emergence of nationalism, xenophobia, social discomfort and the ever increasing amount of fascist rhetoric that we hear around. Maybe those who marvel at Trump’s victory are the same who were astonished by Brexit. Was it really a surprise? The other European Countries are harshly reproaching Britain for the decision. Well, although I think that it is not the best way to address the many shortcomings of today’s EU, it is by far the most logical move for a Country that has always been with a foot within and one without the European Union.

Well, done away with surprise and my being sick of hearing complaints, let alone protesting (what do we have to protest against a democratic vote – for as much as it has been manipulated by the media and by tenths of years of carefully planned ignorance of the masses?) what could we do?

My personal feeling as a European is that, first, we should let go of the childish fear that there could be dire consequences for us. Americans will bear the brunt of their new leader’s policies, mostly. Trump probably represents the epitome of the typical US lack of knowledge and interest in everything which is farther than three feet beyond their borders. Except that they have a tendency to send bombers out there, due to some misinterpretation of what is best to do in the relevant context. (With the commendable exception of the YALI project in Africa that, with my great regret, will probably be terminated). But my feeling is that Trump will be even less keen to send troops and bombers abroad than his predecessor. Certainly less than a Clinton administration would have. This would already be good news because it will relax the current tension with Russia that is blowing winds of war in Europe, something that we don’t want or need. Russia is mostly a European Country, albeit with a serious deficit in democracy; BTW it is not the only one if we look deep. There are many ways in which Europe can forge a different policy towards Russia and that would also benefit the European economy and, ultimately, our people. Besides, to stop putting pressure against Russia’s borders would lessen the credibility of some muscular rhetoric from their leadership and calm down many out there.

Second, Trump’s US of America look like they will become isolationist and concentrate on their navel in many other aspects, not only the military one. This is the most interesting thing, and the opportunity that it would be very stupid to waste. So far Europe – which was a magnificent project at the beginning – has been systematically deprived of any meaning and of any autonomy as an international player (not only, alas). It is sometimes ludicrous how Europe “moves” in the international arena, where it appears with different faces (the president of the Commission, the High (sic!) Representative for the foreign policy, the President of France and Chancellor of Germany…) who the hell is representing Europe? Besides: what foreign policy does Europe have, if any? We don’t, because every time we were expecting someone to tell us what to do. Or anyone went its own way, according to particular interests and often shamelessly at the expense of other European partners.

Since in the next four years, at least, the US is going to be much less present and demanding to its partners in the World arena, Europe has a unique opportunity to decide what it wants to be, and go for it. Do we want that? Does Europe have the guts for it? Is there any leadership left in this old continent of ours? Is the spirit of the “Manifesto di Ventotene” still alive – is there still hope?

Sincerely, I am afraid to ask these questions, because I fear that the answers will be four clear “No”s. However, since I am an optimist by nature and convictions, I think that we can take the on the challenge and go for a better Europe. Most likely not in the 27 – 28 Countries form. Such a big company is totally meaningless, considered the variety of social, economic and cultural situations of the Countries. Only greedy idiots could imagine to enlarge the EU as much, and we see the results of such foolishness today. Most likely a 2.0 EU made up of few Countries, why not the founding ones, could try to go for more integration of economic, social and foreign policies. Though I don’t like so much the traditional ways of thinking “defense”, a common “defense” policy could also be developed, while the NATO loses its meaning. Less dependency on the US foreign policy could allow a more intelligent, far-sighted and consistent policy towards areas very relevant to us like the Middle East, Africa and China, which is an enormously relevant player towards which Europe – since it is a no-entity, is utterly insignificant today.

Finally, the US concentrating on their navels and letting go of hegemonic projects as the TTIP, could leave more room for strengthening the economic policies of European Countries in favour of the SMEs that are the backbone of our economy, pumping blood in a system that has suffered in the last decades but still keeps up employment and kindles the hopes of our Countries to retain any autonomous economic development power.

This said the question is: are we smart enough to stop complaining and start looking at the opportunities posed by the Trump presidency? And finally: are we ready to roll up our sleeves and do what is needed – and let go of what needs to – to build a meaningful Europe? If we don’t, while the US will lose weight in the international context, Europe will see China and Russia expand themselves unchallenged across the World, and its remaining chances to keep a status as a World player sadly vanish forever.

I’d like to hear opinions and comments about these reflections.