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As a European, I’m Terrified of Trump’s Legacy
President Trump’s reputation around the world is not just shameful. It is scary.
A couple of days ago, reports about world leaders laughing at Trump behind the scenes at a NATO summit went viral. While the situation is embarrassing for Trump and the nation, it carries an even deeper weight in the international system: Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson joking about Trump shows just how much the vision and confidence in US leadership has deteriorated among its allies.
And when the leader falls, others will be vying to take its place.
The Trump administration’s lack of interest in supporting old allies and the deteriorating relationship with NATO and the EU is a cause for real concern, especially for the smaller countries of Europe that ever since World War II have depended on US support to outweigh Russian influence.
The debilitation of US influence in Europe could mean a major refocus in the politics of EU countries. For a smaller nation at the edge of Europe like Finland, where I’m from, it can spell disaster.
Ever since its birth during the Russian Revolution, Finland has had to deal with the influence of its mighty neighbor to the East, during World War II even having to fight for our…
