Former Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo shared his positive outlook for the future of transatlantic relations, despite stirred uncertainty from the Trump Administration in a community-wide discussion at the Ford School on April 15th, 2025, During the discussion, De Croo highlighted his views on transatlantic trade, diplomacy, and the expansion of the EU and the private sector
In conversation with Ford School Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes, he highlighted the foundational strength in transatlantic relationships. “The transatlantic relationship is there and it’s there to stay,” said De Croo. In the face of “trivial times,” De Croo assured that not one administration, or one president, can change the foundation of the transatlantic relationship, which has been built up for 80 years. Europe and the United States have not only a strong diplomatic partnership, but also an economic one.
Touching on the recent changes in trade from Trump’s tariff policy, De Croo asserted, “Trade is not charity, we don’t trade with each other because it makes one feel good and the other feel bad.” He mentioned that trade is simply a basis of someone having something the other doesn’t, and we look to support one another in the exchange of resources and goods. Furthermore, he encouraged that transatlantic trade and relations have an “influence on the power of democracy, influence on the power of human rights, influence on the way we see societies evolve.”
A large part of the discussion consisted of talks about the EU and the ways the EU has felt, reacted, and responded to recent upsets in transatlantic relations. De Croo stated, “Today, it’s not easy to be an ally of the United States,” however, “Many European governments are still strong believers in the importance of those transatlantic relationships.” Shedding a more positive light on the EU, De Croo began to express sentiments about the strength of the EU and its commitment to upholding transatlantic relationships.
“I remain optimistic about the transatlantic relationship. Watch the European space. The EU wasn't created to make things difficult for Americans, it’s quite the opposite.” Alexander De Croo noted that the EU is a powerful organization and he expects it to grow in the next decade. Although the EU is a mighty institution that has “brought so many countries out of poverty,” De Croo did not hesitate to mention areas the EU could improve in its policies, methods, and investments in defense. De Croo shared his confidence in the EU to maintain a solid relationship with the U.S., while also commenting on the areas he predicts the institution to change.
Closing the conversation, De Croo declared, “Some people talk about the end of globalization, I don’t believe in that.”
