Trump, Europe, and the Shifting Global Order

Recent discussions at the Festival of the Culture of Freedom in Piacenza, Italy, highlighted a growing sentiment that the failures of the European Union should not be attributed to the policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The event, which took place on March 14, 2026, brought together political figures and experts to analyze the complex relationship between Europe and the United States amidst a changing global landscape.

Criticism of the EU and Trump’s Policies

Daniele Capezzone, director of Time, argued that it is “senseless to make Trump the scapegoat for the failures of the European Union, which is often useless and harmful, certainly through no fault of the American president.” He acknowledged Trump’s sometimes abrasive rhetoric, stating, “Does Trump always preach well? No. Sometimes he preaches badly, but he scratches better than he preaches.”

Pierluigi Magnaschi, director of Italy Today, criticized Trump’s economic policies, specifically citing the imposition of high tariffs on Italian pasta – initially 91.7%, later reduced to 2.65% – as an example of destabilizing behavior that ultimately harmed American citizens by inflicting a 9% economic “damage.”

Divergent Strengths and Weaknesses

Magnaschi contrasted the strengths of Europe and the United States, noting Europe’s leadership in quality manufacturing while acknowledging the U.S.’s dominance in finance and technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that AI represents an “economic and social atomic bomb” that Europe may be underestimating.

A key weakness identified for Europe is its decision-making process, hampered by the need for unanimous agreement among 27 countries, leading to paralysis. Magnaschi stated bluntly, “From a political point of view, Europe counts for nothing today.”

Calls for Realism and a New Approach

Italian Minister Tommaso Foti emphasized the need for a relationship between Europe and the United States based on “realism and not on propaganda,” rejecting the notion of inevitable decline. The festival too commemorated its creator, Corrado Sforza Fogliani, who envisioned the event as a forum for open discussion during a time when “single thinking seemed to prevail.”

Looking Ahead

The Festival of the Culture of Freedom continued on March 15, 2026, with further discussions on topics ranging from the alliance and disagreements between Europe and the United States to the future of freedom of speech in the West. The event underscored a growing recognition of the need for Europe to adapt to a rapidly changing world and reassess its role on the global stage.