Think Tank
Video Recap: US Elections’ Impact on CEE Security
6 November 2024
On 6 October 2024, Visegrad Insight hosted ambassadors, embassy representatives and experts to discuss the impact of the US presidential election results on Europe.
The event coincided with American media’s announcement of Donald Trump’s victory. In the morning session, we examined how Trump’s presidency and foreign policy might affect Europe’s economic security.
Trump’s proposed trade tariffs introduce significant economic uncertainty for Europe, particularly with a 60% tariff on imports from China and a 10–20% general tariff on other imported goods.
The discussion also addressed the fragmented state of Europe’s defence market and the challenges this poses for defence sector investment. Trump’s presidency has reignited concerns over a potential US exit from NATO, underscoring the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security rather than relying solely on American support.
Participants noted that fragmented defence investments across Europe are economically inefficient. Instead, defence investments should be strategically coordinated and centralized. Such an approach would not only be more effective but could also positively impact job creation in Europe’s defence sector.
See the photoshoot below:
