In the United Kingdom, a previously faltering prime minister has been celebrated as a statesman, while his rising populist rival has been significantly undermined. In Canada, the current Liberal Party now has a chance to win an election that was once considered out of reach. In Germany, the newly elected center-right chancellor has secured dominance after an election that was feared to be a breakthrough for the extreme right.
As President Trump’s “shock and awe” policies continue to impact global politics, their effects are being felt in unexpected ways. Mr. Trump’s comprehensive tariffs and threats to the trans-Atlantic alliance have revitalized centrist leaders, who are regaining popularity for their willingness to confront the American president. Additionally, Mr. Trump’s conflict with Ukraine and inclination towards Russia have disrupted right-wing populists across the globe, hindering their efforts to capitalize on Mr. Trump’s return to the White House.
One expert in trans-Atlantic relations, Constanze Stelzenmüller, from the Brookings Institution in Washington, commented that one of the biggest ironies of Trump’s presidency is his role as the great unifier of Europe, emphasizing how shocked Europeans are by the unfolding events.
The impact of Trump’s presidency extends beyond Europe. In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum has received praise and achieved high poll numbers for her composed handling of Mr. Trump’s tariffs. Additionally, Mark Carney, a former central banker, has been catapulted to the leadership of Canada’s Liberal Party with a strong majority, on the belief that he can manage a trade war with the United States.
The Conservative leader in Canada, Pierre Poilievre, has struggled to regain momentum and has been portrayed by the Liberals as a Canadian version of Trump. This has led to a narrowing of the gap between the Conservative and Liberal parties, putting the Liberals in striking distance of a victory.
In Europe, mainstream leaders have also been strengthened by President Trump’s policies, which have helped them counter stagnant economies and restive electorates. The prospect of American tariffs and the need to confront an ally that behaves more like an opponent have proven to be advantageous politically.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s diplomatic efforts, including trying to establish a European peacekeeping force for Ukraine while mending the alliance with Washington, have earned praise across the political spectrum in the UK. His poll numbers have rebounded, despite still being underwater in terms of net approval ratings.
Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, stated that Prime Minister Starmer desperately needed a boost, and his performance on the world stage has delivered exactly that, pointing out that it is not nothing for a prime minister to excel in international affairs.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, the populist leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, has faced challenges for the first time since his election to the British Parliament in July. His alliances with Trump and sympathy for Russian President Vladimir V. Putin have weakened his position and led to turmoil within his party.
Mr. Farage’s association with Trump is becoming a burden, as the president is unpopular in the UK and his chaotic approach to governing deprives his allies abroad of any tangible success. Furthermore, Farage’s party, Reform UK, is not as central to the political landscape as it once was, indicating a potential decline in the peak of populism in Europe.
In summary, President Trump’s policies are reshaping global politics in various ways, strengthening centrist leaders, and weakening populist movements. While the impact of Trump’s presidency continues to unfold, the political landscape in the UK and Europe remains dynamic and subject to change.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/world/europe/trump-starmer-europe-centrists.html
