STORY: Europe gravitates to greater self-reliance as Trump begins new term
SHOOTING DATE: Recent footage
DATELINE: Jan. 23, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:58
LOCATION: Brussels
CATEGORY: POLITICS/ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the U.S. 
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, WTO Director-General
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): URSULA VON DER LEYEN, European Commission President
4. various of the European Council
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Germany): OLAF SCHOLZ, German Chancellor
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): BERNARD DEWIT, Chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce

STORYLINE:

The early days of Donald Trump's second term as U.S. President have sent ripples of unease through Europe. 

Accusing the European Union (EU) of unfair treatment, Trump has reignited tensions, vowing to impose tariffs aimed at addressing trade imbalances.

Trump's policies in this new term are poised to affect not just trade relations but also Europe's territorial integrity, defense priorities, and economic outlook.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, WTO Director-General
"Tariffs, we don't want a tariff war, because all the modeling shows that this will not benefit anyone, the U.S., the rest of the world. It's going to be inflationary in many cases. And I think this is to the benefit of the world that we still need to try to work together to make sure we keep open and predictable markets."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): URSULA VON DER LEYEN, European Commission President
"The world's major economies are vying for access to raw materials, new technologies, and global trade routes. As this competition intensifies, we will likely continue to see frequent use of economic tools, such as sanctions, export controls, and tariffs. But it is important that we balance the imperative to safeguard our security against our opportunity to innovate and enhance our prosperity."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Germany): OLAF SCHOLZ, German Chancellor
"Isolation will hurt prosperity. We will defend free trade as the basis of our prosperity together with other partners."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): BERNARD DEWIT, Chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
"Putting some artificial barriers, putting some barriers on import of goods can have boomerang effects. So, that is my first concern because of these taxations. So it's a weapon. We need to be very careful because it's a weapon. If you use it, the increase of tariffs, it can explode on your face."

Beyond trade, Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO) have deepened rifts with European counterparts, who remain strong advocates of climate action and global health initiatives.

As Trump's second term unfolds, Europe faces a critical juncture --whether to remain tethered to Washington or chart its own course in the face of renewed challenges.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Brussels.
(XHTV)