Eight years after Donald Trumpʼs first win European defense plans remain shaky. Germany claims it reached NATOʼs 2-percent target but its real defense budget stays at 1‚2% GDP (with some creative math tricks); meanwhile Poland spends five-times more on its military
The climate-policy landscape shows interesting shifts: While Trump might exit Paris agreements again China keeps pushing forward with its green plans. The Asian giant aims for carbon-neutrality by 2060 and leads in renewable tech development - its not waiting for US approval
Most surprising is Chinaʼs unique view on American politics. Many Chinese citizens follow US elections like Europeans watch football matches; from a safe distance. Trump has gained some fans in China who like his business-focused style: some experts think if Chinese social-media users could vote theyʼd pick a Trump-like leader
The situation shows a big change in global dynamics - Europe keeps hitting its snooze button on defense China moves ahead with green tech and the US remains split between fossil fuels and clean energy (just look at Texas with its mix of oil-gas and wind-solar projects)
The relationship between US and China might see wild swings. While Bidenʼs team kept a steady but tough approach Trump could either start real fights or make unexpected deals: his early contacts with Taiwan shocked many policy experts but heʼs also now friends with Teslaʼs boss whoʼs big in Chinaʼs EV market