Donald Trump's return to the White House has set off alarm bells in the European Parliament, with lawmakers warning his "America First" agenda threatens international cooperation on climate change, trade and digital regulation.
European lawmakers convened in Strasbourg this week for two critical debates – the first examining controls on American social media companies, followed by discussions on how to respond to the new US administration.
Several far-right members were notably absent, having left to attend Trump's inauguration in Washington.
The debates highlighted widespread unease over Trump's policies, with most members expressing grave misgivings about his approach to global alliances and digital governance.
Trade threats and tariffs
Trump announced plans on Tuesday for new tariffs targeting the European Union.
"The European Union is very, very bad to us," he told reporters at the White House. "So they're going to be in for tariffs. It's the only way... you're going to get fairness."
Trump also proposed a 10 percent duty on Chinese imports, citing fentanyl trafficking as a major concern.
Valérie Hayer, who leads the parliament's centrist Renew Europe group, condemned the president's isolationist stance.
"Listen to Trump's speech. Withdrawal from the Paris accords, withdrawal from WHO... Not a word about Europe, not a word about NATO, not a word about Ukraine," she said.
"For Trump, it's national withdrawal: America First, pure and simple."
Greens MEP Madjouline Sbaï condemned Trump's climate policy, specifically his decision to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement.
"When you attack justice, when you attack the press and when you attack science – notably with the decree taking the United States out of the Paris Agreement – we are seeing what [political philosopher] Hannah Arendt described: the origins of totalitarism," Sbaï said.
Trump’s return sharpens Macron’s bid for a stronger, united Europe
Social media regulation
During Tuesday's initial debate on digital policy, lawmakers focused on concerns over Trump allies Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg's control of social media platforms.
"Deregulation gives way to hate speech, pedophile content, terrorist content, misogynistic and racist content," said Renaissance MP Fabienne Keller.
"Make no mistake, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are not defending freedom of expression. They only want to convey their own ideology."
Greens MEP David Cormand, a member of the parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, described Trump's administration as "another step in what I consider an imperialist attack by American interests against the European Union".
Speaking from Davos, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a more conciliatory tone, saying she would take a pragmatic approach to the new US administration after earlier expressing hope for "close collaboration" with Trump on "global challenges".
Her stance sparked criticism from some lawmakers who viewed it as overly submissive to American interests.
Belgian lawmaker Marc Botenga sharply criticised von der Leyen's approach, suggesting it undermines the EU's independence.
"We are going to buy more energy and more weapons from the Americans. What kind of Stockholm syndrome is this? It's an incredible submission," Botenga said during the debate.
EU 'ready to defend' interests after Trump tariff vow
Digital policy rift
The parliament's divide over digital policy was also clear.
While most MEPs called for stronger enforcement of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) to counter the influence of tech giants, far-right members opposed tighter controls.
Supporters of tighter regulations argued that unchecked platforms allow hate speech, disinformation and harmful content to flourish, threatening democratic processes.
However, far-right lawmakers, including Virginie Joron of the Patriots for Europe group, opposed increasing restrictions on tech companies.
Joron accused EU leaders of targeting Musk unfairly.
"The obsession of many leaders in France and Europe against Musk and his supposed influence over our democracies speaks volumes about what we have become," she said.
"This desire to strengthen the DSA isn't to protect European consumers, but to control voters' ballots."
