Donald Trump‘s election has placed America’s relationship with Europe at risk, EU president Jean Claude Juncker has warned.
In a series of blunt and forthright remarks on the shock winner of the US elections, Mr Juncker accused the new President-elect of ignorance and said he must be taught “what Europe is and how it works”.
Speakng to students at a conference in Luxembourg, the EU Commission President said: “The election of Trump poses the risk of upsetting intercontinental relations in their foundation and in their structure.”
His blunt remarks reflected widespread shock and concern among Europeans at the election of Mr Trump, who among other statements had praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and questioned the principle of collective defense in Nato.
His comments contrasted with the more diplomatic reactions of European leaders who have said they look forward to working with the next Republican president.
Mr Juncker also warned against the “pernicious” consequences of the Republican’s statements on security policy. He also recalled a Trump statement in which he seemed to think that Belgium, the country that hosts the headquarters of the EU and Nato, was a city.
“We will need to teach the president-elect what Europe is and how it works,” he said, adding that Americans usually had no interest in Europe.
“I think we will waste two years before Mr Trump tours the world he does not know.”
It comes after Mr Juncker had raised doubts on Thursday about Mr Trump’s views on global trade, climate policy and Western security.
European Council president Donald Tusk and Mr Juncker invited the billionaire businessman to visit Europe for a summit meeting with the EU.
