Concern that Trump will direct his anger at Europe: "Could be a messy winter"

The Democrats' landslide victory in the US mid-term elections is welcomed in many European capitals. The Americans have finally come to their senses and put their foot down against the Maga movement, according to the reactions in EU circles.

But it is far from certain that the landslide loss for President Donald Trump's Republicans means that transatlantic relations will improve.

On the contrary, EU diplomats and government sources from several EU countries that DN spoke to express a concern that he will take out his frustration on his allies in Europe.

- We have to prepare for the fact that it could be a really messy winter, says a diplomat.

When it comes to foreign and security policy – ​​as well as the important trade policy – ​​the US president can decide most things on his own. And there is no indication that Donald Trump is about to strike a new course.

Bernd Lange, chairman of the European Parliament's trade committee, warns that the Republicans' loss could lead to new confrontations with Europe.

"A weakened Trump is not necessarily a more moderate Trump (...) A lame duck can become an angry duck. Europe must be prepared for all scenarios," he writes on X.

The relationship between the EU and the US has reached new lows in the past two years. The White House has threatened, among other things, with a tariff war and with taking control of Greenland. Washington recently struck a deal with Moscow to buy large quantities of Russian diesel, which on this side of the Atlantic is interpreted as the US abandoning Ukraine.

- With an American commander-in-chief who openly allows himself to be impressed by Vladimir Putin, anything can happen, says a centrally located source in a large EU country.

If Trump finds it increasingly difficult to implement his policies at home, the risk is high that he will instead create more chaos in the outside world, reads the analysis in Brussels.

Right now, the Pentagon is reviewing the American troops in Europe. It is about between 70,000 and 85,000 soldiers, of which around half are stationed in Germany, which form an important part of NATO's deterrence against Russia. Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that they become fewer and that Europe should take greater responsibility for its own security.

In both Brussels and Berlin, fears are now growing that the White House will carry out the threat.