According to analysts, the EU will prefer Kamala Harris over Donald Trump as the next president of the United States due to her stance on issues ranging from trade to support for Ukraine.
Victory of Democratic candidate and vice president Kamala Harris Presidential elections in the United States will be very well received in Europe because it will likely signal transatlantic continuity on: support for Ukraine much tradeAnalysts say.
As millions of Americans vote between Harris and former Republican President Donald Trump on Tuesday They are tied in the latest polls.– European political leaders will consider how elections may affect the EU business relations you security of the continentAs well as Kiev’s resistance to Russia’s large-scale occupation.
“At the European level in general, at the multilateral level, at the global foreign policy level, It will be a continuation of what Joe Biden did Until now,” said Serge Jaumain, professor at the Free University of Brussels (UBL).
Continuation or suspension of aid to Ukraine?
One of the most pressing issues regarding US-EU relations under the new president will be: aid to Ukraine. Washington has provided tens of billions of dollars of military and financial aid to Ukraine, more than any other ally, since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Harris vowed to follow in President Joe Biden’s footsteps and To continue the policy of support to Ukraine Unlike Trump, who criticized the level of US aid to Kiev, his own administration. The EU and its Member States provided at least €57 billion Financial aid to Ukraine So far, analysts say the bloc is hoping for a Harris victory to preserve the status quo in terms of US funding.
Harris victory It would be good news for Europe
Bart Szewczyk, an analyst at the German Marshall Fund, said the “common challenge” for the United States and Europe is to help Ukraine prevail by “ensuring the continuity of the state.” Weapons deliveries and financial aid to Ukraine. This is priority one, two and three,” he said in an interview with Euronews.
However, although the presidency Harris means good news for Europe He may still ask the bloc to contribute more on this front. help KievExperts warn that it may be difficult to gain significant support for Ukraine in the US Congress.
Import tariffs
On trade issues, having Harris as president would be an easier proposition for Europe. Emberspromising to impose 10% customs tax on imports from all countries and 60% imports from China.
Trump warned last month: “The EU will pay a very high price“If he wins the election, it’s because he doesn’t buy enough American products.
Harris would, above all, represent a status quo approach, according to analysts interviewed, but she could also put pressure on the EU to adopt an increasingly tough stance against China, imposing further restrictions on trade. advanced technologies or higher customs duties are imposed on Chinese imports.
Unknowns about European steel and aluminum tariffs
There are some challenges between the EU and the US that need to be resolved, such as tariffs on European steel and aluminium. Szewczyk said that the United States removed the customs duties that Trump imposed on imports of these metals from the EU in 2018, and negotiations are expected to continue after the elections to find a permanent solution. Low Harris administration“Trade policy and the establishment of constructive trade relations with allies and partners will continue,” he added.
Harris vs. Trump: continuity or subversive spirit?
During Europe expects continuity and consistency In its relations with the next US administration, analysts have warned that the bloc may have to prepare for change with a country increasingly looking inward, regardless of its political leadership.
“Today there is a trend in the USA, increasingly isolationist and we are increasingly vigilant in defending Americans’ interests, regardless of the consequences. And there is also a desire (…) gradually withdrawing from various international issues UBL’s Serge Jaumain concludes: “First and foremost, focus on the United States.”
Additional resources • Euronews in Spanish
