BRUSSELS—Top EU diplomats are calling for more robust European defense and a greater European voice in world affairs as Donald Trump—whose isolationist, protectionist promises have worried many in Europe—prepares to assume the U.S. presidency.
With many question marks around Trump’s foreign policy plans, EU foreign ministers agreed Monday at talks in Brussels on the need to strengthen Europe’s role in world affairs until the future of trans-Atlantic relations becomes clearer.
The top diplomats were set to join defense ministers later to discuss cooperation with NATO, whose future is uncertain after Trump suggested that Washington could abandon its NATO commitments, which include mutual defense in case of an attack.
“The European Union is a superpower,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told reporters. She said Monday’s discussions were not about an “EU army” as such, but about “a European Union security and defense that becomes more credible than it is today, more effective than it is today.”
