[US Midterm Election] Will Trump become an ‘Angry Duck’? “I’m concerned about anger in Europe.”

The trade conflict may flare up again and the U.S. military presence in Europe may be further reduced.

(Berlin = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Gye-yeon = After the U.S. Republican Party lost in the midterm elections held on the 3rd (local time), it was diagnosed that U.S. President Donald Trump's anger could be directed to Europe.

Political media Politico said, "Europe is at risk of being hit hardest by President Trump's frustration," and chose Europe as a likely target for President Trump to show off his remaining power.

The biggest concern is that the trade conflict between the US and Europe, which has been quiet recently, will resume. Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliament's trade committee, argued that a 'lame duck' could change into an 'angry duck'. At the same time, he said that President Trump "has no stability or predictability" and predicted that he could pressure him by pushing for tariffs on European medicine and machinery products.

“We should be prepared not for a friendlier transatlantic relationship, but for greater discord and more demands from Trump,” said MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger, who argued at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in February that the Trump administration was destroying the world order.

Daniela Schwarzer, dean of the German public policy school Herti School, said it was difficult to predict President Trump's attitude after the election loss, saying, "After a crushing defeat, Trump may try to reverse the loss of domestic power through foreign policy."

The reduction and redeployment of U.S. troops in Europe, which is accelerating this year, could also become a means for President Trump to express his anger. The U.S. Department of Defense announced in May that it would reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Germany by 5,000 and is considering redeploying U.S. troops.

President Trump has called on Europe to share security burdens while mentioning withdrawal from NATO, saying that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries are free riding on security. Inside NATO, it is believed that President Trump is likely to further reduce US troops stationed in Europe in order to rally his core supporters. On the other hand, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker argued, "I don't think the issue of withdrawal from NATO or reduction of troops will change significantly. Trump is isolated in the United States on this issue."

For Europe, where the burden of military and financial support for Ukraine has increased since the inauguration of the Trump administration, it is difficult to expect immediate cost sharing even if the Democratic Party wins this election. This is because President Trump still holds the power to nullify congressional decisions, including the right to veto bills.

Bronwen Maddox, director of the Royal Institute of International Studies, said, “Even if the Democrats decide to start providing support, including money, to Ukraine, it may take months or even years for it to actually happen,” adding, “It is difficult to expect immediate relief from Zelenskyy (Ukrainian president).”

Germany, which became the largest donor country after President Trump cut off its support budget for Ukraine, announced its principled position that it would continue to cooperate with the Trump administration. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a speech at the Berlin Security Conference that day that he did not know what President Trump's plans were and that "the German government will contact both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party."