I personally think that Trump's presidency is something positive for Europe because it sobers it. The leadership in Europe over the past ten years has been mired in petty issues. Europe needs to wake up, build its own security concept and make a few geostrategic decisions.
This is what Iliya Lazarov, the MEP from GERB-SDF/EPP and member of the Committee on International Trade in the European Parliament, told FOCUS.
He sees the positive effect of Trump's presidency for Europe in the awareness by European leaders of the need for their own defense policy, their own security policy and their own foreign policy.
"We have been accustomed to relying on the patronage of the United States for too long. Trump catalyzes the maturation of Europe and the transition to the next stage of development. When the bureaucracy exudes leadership, it is usually weak. This time requires a gradual change of the elite of Europe," Lazarov believes.
If Trump imposes tariffs on imports of European goods, the European Union will react reciprocally, the MEP said. "The Directorate General for "International Trade" has already foreseen all possible scenarios, they have developments. Political decisions will be made by the leaders in Europe and interest will be sought. Europe must know that its interest comes first and then everything else", added Iliya Lazarov.
The total trade between the European Union and the US on an annual basis is 1.5 trillion euros. The deficit in favor of Europe is 52 billion. The European and American economies are strongly linked. The fact that there is no trade agreement between Europe and the US is not Europe's fault, but because the US does not want it, the MEP noted. If Trump imposes a 25% tariff on goods from the European Union, this will also affect many American companies that invest on the European continent. The good thing about Trump is that when he sees that he has made a mistake somewhere, he corrects himself very quickly. If he makes this move and sees the consequences in a short term, there will be adjustments", believes Lazarov.
The total trade between Bulgaria and the US is under 1 billion euros. Therefore, the country will be one of the least affected by the imposition of American tariffs, he believes.
According to him, the big winner from the failed talks between the American and Ukrainian presidents in the White House in the short term is President Putin, and in the long term - China.