European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde cautioned against Donald Trump’s possible 2025 presidential bid, citing his first term’s track record.
Trump’s Comeback: What Would it Mean?
Speaking on Thursday, Christine Lagarde expressed reservations about Trump’s possible 2025 presidency, “If we should learn lessons from history, from the way he led the first four years of his mandate, it is clearly a threat,” She commented on France 2 TV.
Are Interests Aligned?
Lagarde added, “It’s sufficient to look at the trade tariffs, the commitment to NATO, the fight against climate change. In just these three areas, in the past, US interests were not aligned with European interests.”
Trump’s campaign has yet to reply to requests for comments on Lagarde’s statements.
A Departure from Tradition
Since taking over the European Central Bank in November 2019, Christine Lagarde has occasionally criticized Donald Trump, but her latest remarks are the most direct in her tenure.
Notably, central bankers typically avoid political commentary.
Trump’s Tariff Plans
While serving as the International Monetary Fund’s chief in 2016, she warned of the economic dangers tied to Trump’s tariff plans. Then, in 2019, just before her move to Frankfurt, she took a jab at Trump again, blaming his trade war with China for impacting global economic growth.
Putin “Driven by evil forces”
As the ECB head, Lagarde has not held back on Ukraine-related issues, famously calling Vladimir Putin “a terrifying person” influenced by “evil forces” on a 2022 Irish TV talk show. “Why would you do things like that, invading a country, having people killed, destroying the fabric of a society, and failing?” She questioned, referring to Putin.
Is Putin’s Ukraine Strategy About “Causing Chaos”?
Discussing Putin’s motives in Ukraine, Christine Lagarde observed that his goal is to “cause chaos and destroy as much of Europe as he can.” However, she noted the unintended consequences of his actions: the unification of the Ukrainian people, a rejuvenation of NATO, and a stronger bond among European nations.
Following these remarks, Lagarde acknowledged her role as a central banker, humorously remarking that she “shouldn’t be saying all these things.”
Europe’s Ukraine Stance with Trump
When asked on Thursday if Europe might stand alone in Ukraine in the event of Trump’s re-election, Christine Lagarde responded that she finds it hard to believe that would happen.
US Congress Support for Ukraine
She pointed out that many in the US Congress vehemently oppose Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine and are determined to keep supporting Ukraine financially and otherwise.“You mustn’t forget that even in a presidential system like the American one, the Congress has considerable strength,” she stated.
Trump vs. Biden Showdown?
Polls for the November elections hint at another showdown between Trump and Biden, similar to their hard-fought 2020 campaign. Despite Trump’s federal and civil charges, he has been outpacing Biden in recent surveys.
What to Expect in Trump’s Second Term
A second term for Trump could mean stricter border policies, widespread deportations, a probable withdrawal of support for Ukraine following his isolationist stance, and raised import tariffs.
Trump often challenged the US’s role in NATO during his first term.
Who’s Better at Economics?
Donald Trump views the economy as a challenge for Joe Biden’s administration. Various polls consistently demonstrate that voters tend to trust Trump, the former Republican president, over Biden, the Democratic incumbent, in managing economic issues.
Voters Trust Trump on Key Economic Issues
A Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll from December revealed that voters in seven key battleground states showed greater trust in Trump’s handling of various economic concerns, including housing, interest rates, inflation, and budget balancing.
Are You Better Off?
Stephen Moore, an informal advisor to Donald Trump and a Heritage Foundation fellow, predicts that Trump’s 2024 campaign will focus heavily on inflation and the state of the middle class, targeting Joe Biden.
Moore emphasizes the campaign’s likely central question: “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”
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