Debate | Roundtable
What Trump’s Return Means for Europe
- Date
- Friday 13 December 2024
- Time
- Address
-
Lipsius
Cleveringaplaats 1
2311 BD Leiden - Room
- 2.06
This event and subsequent borrel are sponsored by the MA European Politics and Society degree programme and the History and International Studies section in the Institute for History, Faculty of Humanities.
In November 2024, former President Donald Trump became the President-Elect of the USA, intensifying debate over what a Trump 2.0 administration would mean, both at home and abroad. In this roundtable, speakers will focus on the implications of Trump’s return for Europe
There has been much discussion already about the future of the US security guarantee for Europe and the need for European states to take responsibility for their own security. For no state is the question of the commitment of the US more urgent than Ukraine. What are the possible scenarios now facing Ukraine? How are other European states preparing for Trump’s return, including in respect of climate and energy security? Uncertainty extends to future trading relations with the US too. Will Trump’s promised tariffs harm Europe? Will European states get dragged into the US’s possible trade war with China or be able to forge their own trading path?
Beyond these highly debated aspects, however, lie more insidious threats. In the context of a Europe where hard right politicians have steadily won ground, where European commitment to democratic values, especially in relation to the rule of law and protection of human rights are questioned, does it matter that the White House will soon accommodate a convicted felon; someone who did little or nothing to contain the January 6th 2020 assault on the Capitol; who has repeatedly questioned the results of that election; and who for months stoked fears of unfair electoral practices in the run-up to the 2024 election? What, if any, effects accrue from having a president in the White House whose campaign was marked by misogynistic and racist statements and who had previously paid off an adult film star?
These questions and more will be tackled by the speakers, while the moderator will ensure plenty of time is given over for audience interaction.
All attendees are most welcome at the borrel that will follow immediately after the talk.
Moderator
- Dr Vera Scepanovic, Leiden University
Speakers
- Dr Maxine David, Leiden University
- Professor Roberta Guerrina, Bristol University, UK
- Dr Jan Hornát, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- Dr Joris Larik, Leiden University