Newsweek: Europe must abandon America to save itself

Last week, Friedrich Merz made history for all the wrong reasons, becoming the first German chancellor in more than 75 years to lose a preliminary round of the Bundestag vote, according to Newsweek.

Merz narrowly advanced to the second round, however, the initial defeat reflected a deepening crisis extending beyond Germany to encompass governments across Europe, where deindustrialization, declining growth, and the absence of liberal solutions are converging to push disaffected voters toward hateful far-right populism.

It’s time for bolder action, as European leaders must work to rejuvenate the European economy, stabilize their governments, and build new partnerships with countries that share their vision for the future, even if this requires excluding the United States.

Germany lost 120,000 manufacturing jobs in 2024 alone, while the UK’s manufacturing forecasts were cut after larger-than-expected economic contractions.

But while liberalism stumbles, populism offers few solutions to Europe’s financial woes.

Attacking immigrants or banning pride flags won’t fix European economies, and blaming minorities won’t reverse years of industrial decline.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s second term has dealt a devastating blow to Europe’s already deteriorating economic prospects.

Uncertainty over global tariffs, the escalating trade war with China, and the ongoing attacks on European countries as parasites feeding off the US economy threaten the demise of the transatlantic alliance.

Unfortunately, the United Kingdom has fallen into Trump’s clutches, bankrupted by a trade agreement that has more flaws than advantages.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is harboring the illusion that he can strengthen relations with both the United States and the European Union, while the United States tears apart the foundations of the West.

The European Union’s choice is now clear, with President Trump lashing out at Europe’s mistakes and neglect of promising new partnerships: the growth of the rapidly emerging economies of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

To some extent, Europe has already begun to change course. European governments and companies are exploring common ground with foreign players in sectors ranging from energy and climate technology to security and defense.

Rolls-Royce, for example, has spent years building relationships with Gulf Arab states, securing high-value defense contracts.

More recently, the British engineering giant reaped even greater rewards, receiving a £1 billion investment from Qatar to accelerate the development of its environmentally friendly technologies.

Germany has also been affected by the acquisition deal, with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) recently acquiring its prestigious chemical subsidiary Covestro for nearly €15 billion.

Covestro, a recycling technology company, has previously struggled to maintain stability as the German economy worsened.

Prior to the deal with ADNOC, the company posted a net loss of approximately €72 million in the first half of the year.

Now, with the additional cash injection and the assurance of Gulf financial support, the company has increased its investments in sustainable materials and technologies.

Instead of job losses, Covestro appears poised for a new phase of promising growth.

Now is the time for Europe to strengthen these partnerships, build new friendships, and expand its relations, all in its former colonies.

Since Trump’s America no longer shares the Europeans’ vision of the world, the EU can benefit from the world’s fastest-growing regions, particularly in energy, the environment, security, and defense.

If Trump wants to isolate America, perhaps we should let him do what he wants.

If we stand united, we will be stronger and more capable without him.

In partnership with countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and beyond, Europe can unlock thriving markets and foster sustainable, prosperous growth.

Meanwhile, Trump will be left scratching his head over the rising price of eggs, wondering how things went so wrong.