The new trade policies introduced by Donald Trump are significantly reshaping the right-wing political landscape in Europe, forcing many parties and leaders to reassess their approaches under mounting economic pressure.
In Germany, Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, warned that U.S. tariffs could harm free trade and weaken global growth. Meanwhile, her co-chair Tino Chrupalla argued that tariffs are necessary to protect national economic interests, praising Trump for pushing other nations toward fairer negotiations.
Analysts believe the division within AfD reflects a broader challenge among Europe’s populist movements — balancing support for Washington’s assertive policies with domestic economic concerns.
In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized that any tariff measures must be carefully assessed and highlighted the need for stronger dialogue between the United States and the European Union. Matteo Salvini, leader of the League Party, initially welcomed Trump’s new trade stance but later moderated his tone to maintain coalition stability.
In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán described tariffs as a tool to strengthen negotiations while affirming Hungary’s commitment to close cooperation with the U.S., even amid economic challenges.
Other right-wing leaders, including André Ventura in Portugal and Marine Le Pen in France, have taken cautious positions. Le Pen advocated for what she termed “smart protectionism”, stressing that nations should strengthen economic sovereignty to adapt to an increasingly volatile global landscape.
Within AfD, longstanding divisions persist between free-trade advocates and social protectionists. According to Thomas Greven of the Free University of Berlin, both factions ultimately share a commitment to national sovereignty and centralized management to safeguard domestic interests.
Peter Boehringer, AfD’s deputy chairman, dismissed internal disagreements over tariff policy as minor, noting that even within the U.S. MAGA movement, opinions vary — with Elon Musk leaning toward free trade while other Trump advisors support protectionism.
In Hungary, an export-dependent economy faces rising strain. Recent polls show Orbán’s Fidesz party trailing the opposition for the first time since 2010. Political analyst Bulcsu Hunyadi described this as the opposition’s first real competitive opportunity in over a decade. The Hungarian government has pledged to maintain cooperation with Washington while enacting legal reforms to consolidate power and reinforce sovereignty.
In Spain, Santiago Abascal, leader of the Vox party, urged constructive dialogue to protect agricultural interests and mitigate tensions amid domestic economic headwinds.
In the United Kingdom, Nigel Farage emphasized the need for cautious policy adjustments to avoid financial instability while seeking balanced trade relationships.
Although Trump’s victory once inspired hopes for a “new era” among Europe’s right-wing movements, the evolving global trade environment has proven far more complex. Political leaders must now recalibrate strategies to preserve domestic support while navigating the consequences of U.S. economic nationalism.
According to the European Policy Center, support for far-right parties in the region remains stable, yet the long-term effects of America’s shifting trade policies could further reshape Europe’s political landscape in the years ahead.