Italian political scientist Nathalie Tocci urges the European Union to adopt a tougher stance toward U.S. President Donald Trump. “We know that Trump responds to strength” she told the business magazine “Capital”. “We have long tried to placate him, to keep him on our side, but that has not worked”.
Tocci says that countries such as Brazil, India and Canada have shown “more determination and dignity than the Europeans”. She continues, “You can see that when Trump is confronted with a firm position, he actually backs down”.
She argues that it no longer makes sense to strike deals with the United States while Trump is in office. “It’s also strange how enthusiastically people support U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine” Tocchi says. “What value do those guarantees hold in a situation where the United States threatens Greenland, questions Article 5 of the NATO charter, and announces new tariffs every other day?”
According to Tocchi, Trump’s conduct even signals an active intent to disintegrate the EU. “Trump’s interest is to dismantle Europe” she asserts.
Tocci directs the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome and has previously advised EU foreign‑policy officials Federica Mogherini and Josep Borrell.
