The gloves are certainly off in the US election – and beyond the acrimony – whether it’s Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump in the White House – the result will inevitably have global implications. What does this vote mean for Europe, an historically close ally of the United States?
In a special US election edition, Global Conversation gets perspectives from the former Prime Minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb, Pascal Lamy, previous Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and celebrated film director and social commentator Ken Loach.
Political Perspective
euronews – Isabelle Kumar
Mr Alexander Stubb, as you know we are taking a European perspective on the US election, so with that in mind, what would you like the foreign policy priorities of the next president of the United States to be?
Alexander Stubb
Well, if I was to define it in two words – one would be engaged and the other would be international. It is very important for us Europeans to see an engaged United States, whether that is in Europe in the Middle East in Asia, in Africa, or anywhere else. We need close allies, we need the United States and we need the European Union to be hip to hip.
Isabelle Kumar
So how would you characterise a potential presidency of a Donald Trump or a Hillary Clinton?
Alexander Stubb
Well, one will be engaged, the other will probably be disengaged. I know Hillary Clinton personally, I was Foreign Minister at the same time when she was Foreign Secretary. I am very impressed with her foreign policy knowledge and also her engagement. She will probably be even more engaged that President Obama.
I do not know Donald Trump, but from what I hear we’re talking about building walls, we’re talking about protectionist measures, we’re talking about nationalist measures, we’re talking about withdrawal of American troops. I think from a European perspective, to be quite honest, if he were to hold true to his thesis that would spell trouble.
Isabelle Kumar
So they have not talked about us in Europe a great deal, if at all, in the Presidential debates, so what do you think the relationship would be with Europe because here we are at the point of conjecture I suppose?
Alexander Stubb
If Hillary Clinton were to be elected President of the United States you will see a much more engaged United States. They will not withdraw from NATO, they will probably not start withdrawing troops from Europe, they will see Europe as a close ally and a partner, for instance,in negotiations in the Middle East, or indeed in the war in Syria and the fight against terrorism. I think if Donald Trump is chosen that’ll be a shock to the whole system. Europeans actually follow American Presidential elections very closely, I think a lot of people will be scared by the rhetoric Donald Trump puts forward. We have obviously seen similar rhetoric here in Europe, but I think Donald Trump is in a league of his own.
Isabelle Kumar
You mentioned NATO, Donald Trump has actual
In a special US election edition, Global Conversation gets perspectives from the former Prime Minister of Finland, Alexander Stubb, Pascal Lamy, previous Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and celebrated film director and social commentator Ken Loach.
Political Perspective
euronews – Isabelle Kumar
Mr Alexander Stubb, as you know we are taking a European perspective on the US election, so with that in mind, what would you like the foreign policy priorities of the next president of the United States to be?
Alexander Stubb
Well, if I was to define it in two words – one would be engaged and the other would be international. It is very important for us Europeans to see an engaged United States, whether that is in Europe in the Middle East in Asia, in Africa, or anywhere else. We need close allies, we need the United States and we need the European Union to be hip to hip.
Isabelle Kumar
So how would you characterise a potential presidency of a Donald Trump or a Hillary Clinton?
Alexander Stubb
Well, one will be engaged, the other will probably be disengaged. I know Hillary Clinton personally, I was Foreign Minister at the same time when she was Foreign Secretary. I am very impressed with her foreign policy knowledge and also her engagement. She will probably be even more engaged that President Obama.
I do not know Donald Trump, but from what I hear we’re talking about building walls, we’re talking about protectionist measures, we’re talking about nationalist measures, we’re talking about withdrawal of American troops. I think from a European perspective, to be quite honest, if he were to hold true to his thesis that would spell trouble.
Isabelle Kumar
So they have not talked about us in Europe a great deal, if at all, in the Presidential debates, so what do you think the relationship would be with Europe because here we are at the point of conjecture I suppose?
Alexander Stubb
If Hillary Clinton were to be elected President of the United States you will see a much more engaged United States. They will not withdraw from NATO, they will probably not start withdrawing troops from Europe, they will see Europe as a close ally and a partner, for instance,in negotiations in the Middle East, or indeed in the war in Syria and the fight against terrorism. I think if Donald Trump is chosen that’ll be a shock to the whole system. Europeans actually follow American Presidential elections very closely, I think a lot of people will be scared by the rhetoric Donald Trump puts forward. We have obviously seen similar rhetoric here in Europe, but I think Donald Trump is in a league of his own.
Isabelle Kumar
You mentioned NATO, Donald Trump has actual
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