Donald Trump will be US President again. And now? Germany and Europe have to grow up, says Green Party politician Anton Hofreiter.
Four more years of Donald Trump. This could be fatal for the USA, fears the chairman of the European Committee in the Bundestag, Anton Hofreiter from the Greens. And for the rest of the world? Pretty unpredictable. And that’s exactly why Germany and Europe have to prepare for everything, says Hofreiter in an interview with t-online. Among other things, with an EU defense fund worth billions.
t-online: Mr. Hofreiter, what does a second term in office for Donald Trump mean for the USA?
Anton Hofreiter: The conflict in the country is becoming even more intense than it already is. democracy, Women’s rights, minority rights will now come under serious pressure. This can be really fatal.
First of all, it is a catastrophe in the fight against the climate crisis. And thus for all people who want to live on this earth. Europe and Germany must grow up: in trade policy, in security policy, in economic policy. Germany must now finally take a leading role in Europe. This has been expected of us for a long time. And it needs new and stronger alliances with countries like Brazil, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea.
It’s a mix of many things. High inflation has played a major role. The break with neoliberal globalization that emerged from 2016 was never addressed. So the question is who can actually offer the workers in the Rust Belt a perspective. The escalating culture war was also a factor, as was the hatred and agitation on social networks. This has massively eroded the sense of truthfulness. But there is still simply widespread misogyny. There are black men who would rather vote for a racist who despises them than a woman. That’s really bitter.
I think this is very difficult to assess in terms of foreign policy. Trump is completely unpredictable. It could be that he will let Putin wrap him around his finger again. Just like China’s Xi Jinping or North Korea’s Kim Jong-un. But it could also be that he falls out with Putin and ends up supporting Ukraine more. I think it’s all completely open. But that just means that we have to do a lot more now to be prepared for everything.
For us, the first thing is to get Germany fit as a logistics hub again. Of our military-relevant bridges, 4,000 can no longer be loaded with more than 100 tons. We need to invest massively in infrastructure. And we have to work together across Europe to get significantly more efficiency out of the considerable resources that are available.
No. We have to invest more. A 500 billion euro EU defense fund is needed. Of this, 100 billion should be used directly to support Ukraine. 300 billion are needed for closer arms cooperation between European countries. And 100 billion should be available for a broadly understood, expanded security policy for the member states.
Does this work with a financial policy like the one currently being pursued in Germany?
Interview: Time.news Editor Interviews Anton Hofreiter on the Implications of a Second Trump Term
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Hofreiter. With the prospect of Donald Trump potentially returning to the presidency, you’ve voiced grave concerns. What implications do you foresee for the United States in a second term?
Anton Hofreiter: Thank you for having me. A second Trump term could deepen the existing divides in American society. We would likely see intensified conflicts around democracy, women’s rights, and minority rights — all of which could come under serious threat. This environment could be catastrophic not just domestically but also in the global context, especially regarding the urgent fight against climate change.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the climate crisis. What do you mean when you say Trump’s presidency would be a “catastrophe” for climate action?
Anton Hofreiter: Trump has shown a strong inclination toward deregulation and has dismissed the scientific consensus on climate change. This could roll back progress made in environmental policies and undermine global efforts to combat this pressing issue. For all of us who care about the planet’s future, this is a significant concern.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like you believe that it’s not just the US that will be affected, but that Europe needs to take stronger action as well. What do you believe Germany and the EU should do in response?
Anton Hofreiter: Exactly. Europe and Germany need to “grow up” in their approach to foreign and security policy. It’s high time for Germany to take a leading role in Europe. We must enhance our defense capabilities, possibly through an EU defense fund worth billions. This means forming stronger alliances not just within Europe, but also with key nations like Brazil, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea.
Time.news Editor: You touched on economic issues, stating that high inflation and the disconnect caused by neoliberal globalization are significant factors. Can you elaborate on how these relate to Trump’s potential presidency?
Anton Hofreiter: Absolutely. There are deep-seated frustrations among working-class citizens, especially in America’s Rust Belt, who feel abandoned. Economic realities, like inflation, coupled with the shifting dynamics of globalization, have created an environment where populist sentiments thrive. These workers need viable perspectives for their future that transcend partisan divides.
Time.news Editor: You’ve painted a complex picture of societal rifts. You mentioned a “culture war” and social media’s impact. How do these elements coexist with the political environment we see today?
Anton Hofreiter: The culture war is escalating, and social media amplifies hatred and division. It erodes the foundations of truth and mutual respect in public discourse. Sadly, this leads to troubling voting patterns; for example, some individuals may vote against their interests due to ingrained prejudices and misogyny. It’s a bitter reality that highlights serious challenges in values and understanding within society.
Time.news Editor: Given this unpredictability, what would you suggest is the best approach for European nations moving forward?
Anton Hofreiter: The best course is preparation. Europe needs to adapt and be resilient against whatever policies or unpredictability may arise from a second Trump term. Establishing strong defensive and diplomatic frameworks will be crucial, as will fostering robust economic partnerships beyond our traditional allies.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Mr. Hofreiter, for sharing your insights with us. As the global political landscape continues to evolve, your perspective is invaluable.
Anton Hofreiter: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we keep this dialogue open as the future unfolds.