How Trump’s Betrayal of the World’s Most Vulnerable Opens Doors for Europe

Among the disruptions instigated by Donald Trump, the most severe and lasting effects will be felt by the most at-risk populations in the developing world.

The critical question is: how far will Europe go to alleviate the consequences?

Once hailed as “emerging markets” during a more buoyant era, these countries now find themselves back at the beginning.

The least developed nations, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are facing the most drastic repercussions and are firmly in Trump’s crosshairs.

He has effectively dismantled USAID, the federal agency dedicated to international development, and is withdrawing from critical international agreements such as the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Agreement.

‘America First’ presents both a responsibility and an opportunity for Europe

Trump’s actions threaten to undo decades of progress in international development.

While wealthy nations have typically been less generous than they could have been towards impoverished former colonies, they have never displayed Trump’s overt indifference.

“America First” brings both a duty and a chance for Europe.

The duty is to prevent significant portions of Africa, Asia, and Central and Southern America from spiraling into chaos.

The opportunity lies in Europe’s chance to act constructively against Trump, potentially regaining lost global influence.

Recently, the developing world has been overshadowed by the Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Palestine issue, and Trump’s divisive MAGA agenda at home.

As they slip from view, poorer nations are contending with escalating debt and dwindling investments.

The weight of servicing their debts is overwhelming.

Almost half of humanity lives in countries where interest payments to foreign lenders equal expenditures on healthcare and education—critical areas that influence their future competitiveness.

Recent European initiatives have focused on Rome rather than Brussels; just before his passing, the late Pope Francis formed a “jubilee committee” to advocate for debt relief.

Investment projects necessary for modernizing post-colonial economies are moving in the opposite direction of accumulating debt.

World Bank analysts indicate that foreign direct investment in these regions is currently only half of the peak levels seen in 2008.

According to UNCTAD, the UN’s development arm, a mere 3.5 percent of the global investment projects, valued at $1.3 trillion annually, are directed toward Africa.

Trump’s trade wars are adding further complications to the landscape of development assistance.

The limited GDP growth experienced by poorer countries is being significantly hampered by a global economic downturn.

As the World Bank’s chief economist recently stated, “Outside of Asia, the developing world is becoming a development-free zone.”

How committed and capable is the EU to bridge this gap?

The European Commission’s outward messaging is optimistic, but internal indicators are less encouraging.

The “Golden Gateway” initiative has committed €300 billion for strategically significant projects from 2021-2027, with half earmarked for Africa.

The Commission’s website proudly states that EU spending accounts for 42% of global development aid, surpassing the pre-Trump U.S. share of 30%.

Many experts agree that EU aid is more transparent and less self-serving than American assistance, which often aligns with U.S. interests.

However, as funding becomes increasingly scarce, and EU governments grow less open to geopolitical discussions about Europe’s international role, there are concerns that Brussels may regress rather than fill the gaps left by Donald Trump.

Even as [Trump] leads his nation and much of the world toward peril, this does not absolve Europe’s leaders from the duty to make earnest efforts to repair the damage and restore the EU’s diminishing influence

Jozef Sikela, the Czech politician and investment banker who joined the Von der Leyen II Commission to oversee ‘international partnerships,’ is reportedly contemplating a shift in Europe’s aid focus towards prioritizing critical raw materials and energy projects, akin to U.S. or UK models.

NGOs have warned that this could compromise the quality of EU development aid.

Discussions regarding these specifics will undoubtedly escalate as development policies come under scrutiny during negotiations over the EU’s 2028-34 budget – the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF).

The strength of the case for increased aid funding will be tested against the urgent demands of Ukraine and various domestic economic and social challenges facing the EU.

Nonetheless, there is a compelling argument for significant increases in member states’ financial contributions.

Due to the impacts of Covid-19 and the Ukraine crisis, these contributions are set to approach €2 trillion over the current MFF’s seven years, against a collective EU GDP exceeding €100 trillion during the same period.

Africa and other underdeveloped regions will serve as a litmus test for Europe’s influence globally.

The EU’s waning power stands in stark contrast to Trump’s aggressive wielding of America’s advantages.

Even as he leads his nation and much of the world toward considerable danger, this does not excuse European leaders from the imperative to mend the damage and reclaim the EU’s diminishing influence.

This is the crucial moment to reaffirm alignment with the right side of history.

*This article first appeared on the Friends of Europe website and is reproduced with kind permission.

*The views expressed by the author of this article, Giles Merritt, do not necessarily reflect those of The Bulrushes