How European leaders studied Trump and learned to speak his language

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: In a notable shift, European leaders have adapted their diplomatic approach to align more closely with former President Donald Trump’s style as he re-emerges as a central figure in U.S. foreign policy
• Despite past frictions, EU leaders — including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen — are actively engaging Trump, employing flattery and concessions to preserve the transatlantic alliance amid high-stakes talks on Ukraine

🔭 The context: During his first term, Trump frequently criticized NATO, questioned the EU’s intentions, and imposed tariffs on key European exports
• This antagonistic approach strained relations and alarmed many European capitals
• Learning from this, leaders have recalibrated their strategies, emphasizing personal rapport and symbolic gestures to manage diplomacy effectively and avoid isolation from U.S. power

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The transatlantic alliance plays a pivotal role in coordinating global responses to climate, energy, and security challenges
• Maintaining cooperation is essential for sustaining joint efforts on climate finance, green technology standards, and energy security
• A breakdown could undermine EU-U.S. momentum on environmental action, especially in support for Ukraine’s energy transition amid wartime destruction

⏭️ What's next: European governments are expected to deepen informal diplomatic channels with Trump’s circle while balancing relations with the Biden administration
• Key decisions on Ukraine aid, defense spending, and energy resilience are anticipated in the coming months
• The evolving rapport could shape both NATO’s cohesion and the EU’s ability to secure U.S. support for global environmental and security initiatives

💬 One quote: “We’ve studied Trump’s methods and tailored our communication,” said a senior European diplomat. “We’re not ignoring substance, but presentation matters more with him than with any other leader”

📈 One stat: NATO’s European members increased defense spending by 11% in 2024 — the highest annual rise since the Cold War — in part to address Trump’s longstanding criticism of military burden-sharing

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