Trump’s Unintentional Catalyst: Uniting Europe Amidst Growing Challenges

Amid various challenges, public trust in the European Union is on the rise, with member states experiencing increased cooperation largely due to pressures from President Trump’s administration.

Reporting from Aarhus, Denmark, and Brussels, July 21, 2025 – President Trump's commitment to “Make America Great Again” is producing unforeseen consequences, particularly by fostering a sense of unity among European nations. At the dawn of his first administration, the European Union (E.U.) faced significant turmoil: public confidence had plummeted, Britain was exiting the union, and numerous countries were grappling with economic instability in the wake of the global financial crisis.

However, the atmosphere began to shift around 2016, as public sentiment towards the E.U. steadily improved. Recent months have showcased an even greater resurgence in trust, nearing levels unseen in the last two decades. E.U. leaders are aggressively pursuing new trade agreements with rapidly developing markets such as Indonesia, and are firming up defense collaborations with allies including Canada. Even the United Kingdom, after a tumultuous separation, appears to be mending ties through new agreements.

Despite the positive momentum, the E.U. grapples with significant issues. An aging population, sluggish economic growth, and rising populism threaten to dilute its newfound unity. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, faces challenges in executing budgetary reforms while under scrutiny for past policies. Nevertheless, even in historically skeptical nations like Denmark, perceptions of the E.U. have become markedly more favorable.

“Support for the E.U. has never been higher,” commented Marie Bjerre, Denmark’s minister for European Affairs, illustrating the shift in sentiment.

Additionally, surveys reveal a notable decline in the number of E.U. countries favoring U.S. leadership over their own – a clear indication of the substantive changes in public opinion across Europe.