Florian Illies Calls for European Independence from U.S. Under Trump's Leadership

In a provocative essay, the German author critiques American influence and urges Europe to reclaim its cultural and economic identity.

Florian Illies argues that Donald Trump's second presidency underscores the need for Europe to assert independence from U.S. influence.
He critiques the cultural and political impact of the Trump administration, describing it as marked by illiberalism and detrimental to American values.
Illies proposes that Europe focus on exporting its values, such as humanism and respect, while reducing reliance on American products and ideas.
The essay criticizes major U.S. corporations like Instagram, Amazon, and Tesla for their perceived alignment with Trump's administration.
Using French champagne as a symbol, Illies advocates for economic self-reliance and the celebration of European identity over American imports.