Donald Trump has been sworn in again as President of the United States in a ceremony that sent shockwaves not only domestically but internationally.
The inauguration, held at the Capital One Arena, drew thousands of devoted supporters and prominent figures from the tech and business worlds. While Trump has positioned himself emphatically as the man of traditional American values, his policies have direct consequences on the world stage, including Europe. In particular, his decisions on climate policy, trade and energy dominate the attention.
withdrawal from Paris Agreement
One of Trump’s first official acts after taking office was to sign an executive order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. This move, which he announced during his campaign, marks a break with the policies of his predecessor Joe Biden. This withdrawal weakens international cooperation on climate change, which has raised concerns among European leaders.
The European Union now feels compelled to make additional efforts to achieve its own climate goals. The Green Deal, the ambitious plan to make Europe climate neutral by 2050, is given an extra boost as a result. The US withdrawal from the agreement also forces European countries to become less dependent on fossil fuels, resulting in higher investments in sustainable mobility such as electric vehicles, alternative fuels and public transport.
mainstay or controversial figure?
At the celebratory event, tech billionaire Elon Musk addressed the crowd. “This is what it feels like to win,” Musk said, visibly excited, as thousands of Trump supporters cheered him on. Musk, owner of Tesla and SpaceX, played a key role in Trump’s campaign, contributing $250 million to his campaign fund. His involvement goes beyond financial support; he will hold an official position in the new administration and focus on making government more efficient.
However, Musk is not without controversy. A hand gesture he made during his speech – extending his right hand – made some think of a Hitler salute. A storm of criticism arose on social media. Musk has not yet publicly explained the incident, but the commotion could have consequences for his image and his role in the government.

Trump also announced that he will continue his tough trade policy, especially against European countries. He is again threatening high import tariffs on European cars, which could have direct consequences for the mobility sector. European car companies fear not only higher costs, but also a possible decrease in demand for their products on the American market. In response to these threats, some companies have started to diversify their production processes and set up alternative supply chains. However, this could lead to higher prices for consumers and pressure on the European labor market.
“drill, baby, drill”
Trump stated in his inauguration speech that he wants to fight inflation by cutting spending and lowering energy prices. He declared an energy emergency, intended to pump more oil and increase domestic production. This approach is accompanied by the abandonment of measures that discourage the use of fossil fuels. The slogan “drill, baby, drill” was again used as a call to action.
European countries fear that this strategy will not only damage the climate, but could also disrupt the global energy market. At the same time, it offers Europe the opportunity to position itself more strongly as a leader in green energy and technology.
The ceremony was attended by a wide range of prominent figures, including Trump family members, members of his new cabinet, and tech icons such as Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and Mark Zuckerberg. The presence of these influential figures indicates that Trump, despite his controversial policies, has a strong bond with corporate America.
new reality
The re-election of Donald Trump marks the beginning of a new, uncertain period for Europe. While the US increasingly focuses on domestic interests and traditional energy sources, Europe feels the pressure to show leadership on climate and trade. How the coming years unfold will depend greatly on the European response to Trump’s policies and the extent to which international cooperation is maintained.