As the world is facing a second Donald Trump term, German MPs speak with Euronews about the biggest challenges Europe could face and the future of the transatlantic relationship.
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00:00As the results begin to roll in for the U.S. election, Europe is beginning to wake up to
00:05a new chapter in transatlantic relations.
00:08Germany, one of the U.S.' closest allies, has spent months this year preparing for both
00:13a second Donald Trump term and a Kamala Harris presidency.
00:17German MP Thomas Erndl says that Europe needs to ramp up its defense spending and prioritize
00:23its security.
00:24Every investment in a partnership must be justified by the voters and something must
00:30come back.
00:31We have to deliver.
00:32But I do believe that there are good reasons why we continue this transatlantic partnership,
00:38maybe even revive it even more.
00:41The rivalry with China will not be achieved by the U.S. alone, but only in cooperation
00:49with Europe, with a strong Europe.
00:52And that's why there is a good reason for the U.S. to continue the partnership.
00:58Transatlantic coordinator and FDP Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader Michel Link warns that there
01:04is more at stake for the world if Ukraine loses the war.
01:07We should never forget that if Russia wins in Ukraine, China wins too.
01:13So the idea to say, maybe let's shift some resources to restrain Chinese activities is
01:26an illusion to think that you have to shift it to Indo-Pacific.
01:30China is not an Indo-Pacific challenge, China is a global challenge.
01:35Look to Chinese activities in Latin America or in Africa or in Europe.
01:41And how does Europe want the results to unfold?
01:44American diplomat Daniel Benjamin says there can be major consequences for the economy.
01:49Europeans are overwhelmingly hoping for Harris.
01:52The polls are quite clear on that.
01:55They're quite worried about what will happen to their security arrangements if Trump's
01:59elected.
02:00They're worried about seeing 20 percent across the board tariffs.
02:04And they have very, very harsh memories of the last go-around.
02:09So if you're looking for a one-sided picture, look at Europe.
02:15The only pro-Trump constituencies here are on the far right and in a few countries like
02:23Viktor Orban's Hungary.
02:25It's clear that a new dawn is about to break in Europe, but is it ready?
02:30Liz Stroud, in Berlin, for Euronews.