Somewhat more interesting than most commentary about the results of the U.S. mid-term elections is the view of Josef Braml, European Director of the Trilateral Commission think tank. In an assessment for Euronews, he warns that Trump will not turn into a lame duck as most people expect, but might turn even more dangerous for Europe. The new Democratic Party majority in both houses will, granted, make domestic policy for Trump very difficult, but as President he has a largely free hand on strategic and foreign policy matters, including trade, and that may make matters very unpleasant for the EU and the European party of NATO. It would be wrong for Europe to try waiting out Trump politically. Europe must become more economically resilient to American tariff pressure, more independent militarily within NATO, and more united politically in the face of attempts to divide it, Braml says.

Braml also calls for a differentiated picture on the Democrats, who he says are not a monolithic bloc but will face severe internal fights between the ideologues at the national executives and those like NYC Mayor Mamdani who have been successful in primaries and general elections with a program against the housing and health crises.

Dr. Josef Braml is a U.S. expert, author, and European Director of the Trilateral Commission think tank. He has over 20 years of experience in applied research and consulting for leading global think tanks, including the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), the Aspen Institute, the Brookings Institution, the World Bank, and as a legislative advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives.