French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on European countries to unite and coordinate their positions in the face of Republican candidate Donald Trump's victory in the elections and his return to the White House, while the defense ministers of the two countries held a quickly arranged meeting on this matter today, Wednesday, in Paris.

Macron and Scholz congratulated Trump on his election victory on Tuesday, but were also quick to stress the challenges posed by his protectionist trade policy, his "America First" slogan, and his isolationist rhetoric.

"The EU must stick together and act in a united way," Scholz told reporters, adding that he and Macron were coordinating closely with other EU heads of state and government.

Macron said in a television interview that Berlin and Paris would work for a united and stronger Europe within the "new context."

But achieving European unity will be difficult, especially since differences have grown between Paris and Berlin in recent years on issues ranging from how to finance increased defense spending to trade, especially tariffs on Chinese electric cars.

The French and German leaders also face delicate political situations at home. Macron has lost much of his influence after election defeats earlier this year, and Scholz is struggling to hold his coalition together.

“Contrary to claims, Europe is not prepared for the economic impact of higher tariffs and is likely to completely change its stance on Ukraine and the threat of defence spending,” analysts at Euro Intelligence said. “We expect the EU to split along similar lines to the US itself.”

Trade wars

Many European officials said before the US presidential election that they were concerned about a Trump victory, given the strained transatlantic relations of his first term, his strong criticism of NATO, his ambivalent view of the Ukraine war and his stance on climate change.

Trade is a major concern for Europe. Trump said last month that the EU would have to “pay a big price” for not buying enough U.S. exports if he wins the election.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Trump on his victory, but also said avoiding trade wars would be in the interests of the United States as well as Europe.

“Millions of jobs and billions in trade and investment across the Atlantic depend on the dynamism and stability of our economic relationship,” she added.

Trump, who takes office in January, has said he will impose a 10 percent tariff on imports from all countries and a 60 percent tariff on imports from China. Economists warn that this could disrupt supply chains around the world, potentially driving up costs and sending China redirecting its exports to Europe.

Ukraine

Europe also fears a shift in US foreign policy, particularly towards the war in Ukraine. Trump has criticized the level of US support for the war effort, and before the election he promised to end the conflict even before taking office, without explaining how.

Hungarian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Europe would now have to reconsider its support for Ukraine, and Orban, unlike other EU leaders, has endorsed Trump’s candidacy.

He posted rousing messages on the X platform after his victory. The Hungarian leader has long angered Brussels with his close ties to Russia and opposition to aid to Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was among many in Europe who congratulated Trump and expressed hope for closer cooperation with him, while a number of ministers and leaders said his return to the White House would require Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security.

"We now have to think about the bigger picture and make major investments in our European security," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters in Berlin.

The French and German defense ministers are due to hold a hastily arranged meeting later Wednesday in Paris, ahead of long-planned meetings of dozens of European leaders in Budapest on Thursday for the European Political Community summit and a meeting of EU leaders, also in Budapest, after that.

The EU summit will allow for an initial exchange of views but is unlikely to produce a full response to Trump's victory, a European diplomat said.