Lukas Sieper (pictured) is a young German politician who is leader of the Party of Progress.
Elected to the EU parliament last year, the 28-year-old has already made his mark.
In a Q&A with this website the non-attached member outlined his blunt views on President Trump, including the impact of wide-ranging set of tariffs. On this he likens Donald Trump’s actions to a “Mafia boss”.
He warns that the EU and Europe “can no longer” rely, under President Trump, on the United States as an ally.
EU Reporter: Since Trump took office in the United States, the transatlantic partnership has faced unprecedented challenges. What do you think about this?
Sieper: “We can no longer see the U.S as an unconditional partner. We can only rely on ourselves so we must strengthen our defence capabilities and cut some of the ties that we have had with US for the last 50 years.”
Q: Parties within the EU, including countries, have some differences on how to deal with the United States. How do you think Europe's interests should be maintained?
Sieper: “We must remain true to our core values. The EU was founded on enlightenment and values and these must remain our red lines. Just as we have had to deal with the likes of Vladimir Putin we now have to negotiate with Donald Trump.”
Q: Many people have suggested that it is time for Europe to face it alone, as 're-arming' Europe. From your point of view, should Europe be more independent?
Sieper: “The EU should be able to fully defend itself. If you look at the past we have never needed anyone else to defend ourselves.”
Q: What is your response to Trump's series of economic sanctions against Europe?
Sieper: “We have to show that we will not back down but will fight back.Tariffs are in no one’s interests be it business or the general population and President Trump must not squeeze us like a mafia boss. We must fight back.”
Q: Is the United States an enemy of Europe? Should the United States assume greater international responsibilities?
Sieper: “The core idea of the EU is to have partners and not enemies. But is the US still an ally under Trump? Well, I do not think so. Even so, we must still treat the US as an ally. The EU must step up and show that it is now a leader of the free world.”
Q: Many intellectuals have suggested that it is time for Europe to wake up. Is THIS the moment we stop calling the US an ally?
Sieper: “Under President Trump, yes, this is when we must stop calling them an ally. But we have already woken up to this, for example, with the EU rearmament plans which aims to show the world that we can stand on our own.”
Q: The United States has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court and withdrawn from the World Health Organization. Recently, the Mississippi state government of the United States sued the Chinese government in court, saying the Covid virus came from China, what is your point of view?
Sieper: “It was a trauma for all of us but we should now leave Covid behind. If the U.S wants to maintain the concept of international liability it should not move away from those international organization that guarantee just that.”
Q: America first is becoming much more like America alone. Could you please give us your opinion on this statement?
Sieper: “Isolationism helps no one. We are all inter connected and this idea of ‘making America great again’ belongs in the 19th century.”
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EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter. This article was produced with the assistance of AI tools, with final review and edits conducted by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and integrity.