Donald Trump’s dominant victory in the Iowa caucuses has sent shockwaves across the Atlantic, with German leaders warning they must immediately brace for the possibility of another Trump presidency.
Raw Story reported on Tuesday, January 16, that following news of Trump’s overwhelming win in the first Republican nominating contest, senior German lawmakers urged the government to take steps now to hedge against further Trump-fueled upheaval in transatlantic relations.
“The German government can no longer ignore domestic political developments in the United States,” said Jürgen Hardt of the conservative opposition Christian Democratic Union party.
Calling the U.S. too important a partner to overlook, Hardt asserted “It is high time to prepare for a president Trump.”
The combustible Trump’s first term saw him frequently clash with European allies over matters ranging from defense spending to climate change and trade policy.
His “America First” doctrine cast doubt on longstanding transatlantic bonds.
A second Trump administration could have profound implications, German officials worry. They fear Trump may curtail aid to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia or even pull out of NATO entirely.
To mitigate the fallout, leaders like CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen are urging expanded German arms production.
The goal is to enable Ukraine to fend off Russia even without U.S. assistance. “Europe’s freedom depends on this,” Röttgen warned.
Others see danger in rising Republican isolationism showcased during Congressional debates on Ukraine funding.
With Trumpism taking deeper root, German Green Party deputy leader Agnieszka Brugger said international security, solidarity, and respect for law are all under threat.
Though Trump did not win Iowa in a landslide, the size of his victory over rivals like Ron DeSantis underscores his firm control over the Republican base.
Even candidates reluctant to fully embrace Trumpism were unable to blunt his momentum coming out of Iowa.
This seemingly unstoppable advance of Trump’s populist nationalism has German leaders bracing for aftershocks.
Trump has shown little affection for the postwar international order that prospered under U.S. leadership.
His “America First” outlook fueled criticism of cost-sharing agreements central to transatlantic partnership. A replenished mandate may see Trump double down on upending the status quo.
Hence the urgent calls from the German establishment to get ready now for a more confrontational chapter with the U.S. under Trump 2.0.
By preparing contingency plans, German officials hope to mitigate the most destabilizing potential effects of Trump’s unilateralist doctrine.
Yet Trump’s enduring support suggests German pleas may fall on deaf ears. Much as Iowa voters brushed aside rivals’ warnings, Trump’s base seems unmoved by foreign appeals for America to reconsider its posture.
Hawkishness toward allies, not reconciliation, may define the road ahead if Trumpism remains ascendant.
