European leaders expressed relief on Wednesday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s significant defeat in the midterm elections, although many remain cautious about the potential for improved transatlantic relations. The perception among European commentators and policymakers is that American voters have rejected Trump’s policies, which are seen as harmful to Europe.
Trump accepted the election results, affirming the legitimacy of the Democrats’ sweeping victories. However, experts warned that his final two years as a lame-duck president could lead to increased unpredictability in foreign affairs, even with a Democratic-controlled Congress likely unable to significantly limit his foreign policy actions.
While most top European leaders refrained from immediate comments to avoid provoking Trump, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly welcomed the results. He characterized the Democratic victory as a vote “against hate, against machismo, against climate denial, against the privileges of elites.” Sánchez is among a dwindling number of progressive leaders in Europe and has previously clashed with Trump on issues such as Iran and immigration.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also addressed the election outcomes, expressing hope that they might contribute to resolving the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He noted that alleviating cost-of-living issues is tied to achieving peace in the region.
The fallout from Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his decision to attack Iran, is viewed as a major factor contributing to Republican losses in the elections. His policies have created tensions with traditional European allies, leading to strong disapproval across the continent. European leaders have been frustrated with Trump’s tariffs on European goods, his withdrawal of support for Ukraine, and a generally aggressive stance toward NATO partners.
Support for Trump appears to be waning even among his closest European allies. Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party, claimed that Trump had betrayed his supporters with his foreign policy, which she argued extended the conflict in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Jordan Bardella, president of France’s National Rally, suggested that Trump’s second term may reflect a shift toward a different foreign policy philosophy.
As uncertainty looms over U.S. policy regarding Ukraine, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s chief diplomat, expressed hope that the new Congress would continue to support Ukraine and apply more pressure on Russia. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul shared a similar optimism about the incoming congressional leadership enhancing U.S. support for Ukraine, a concern echoed by many leading Democrats.
