Europe will emerge stronger from US President Donald Trump’s political actions and more determined to pursue key policies, according to a new network of political and policy experts created by BOLDT BPI sister company, Message House BPI.
The findings follow in-depth interviews with 50 senior former politicians and officials and mark the launch of BPI’s European Insights Forum, a research group of European policy and political experts intended to provide a barometer on key issues that mirrors the views of current policymakers.
Of those questioned, 41 were Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from a range of member states and the UK, and across the political spectrum. BOLDT BPI is a strategy, public affairs and corporate communications consultancy serving clients across Europe, while Message House BPI is a team of research and insights experts supporting clients globally.
While the Trump Presidency is undoubtedly reshaping the political landscape in the European Union and other countries, the strong consensus from the forum is that responses from EU bodies, national governments and Europe’s political leaders point to the region’s opportunity to strengthen key policy areas.
Key initial findings from the first research exercise conducted with the forum were:
- Overall, the EU was slow to anticipate and respond to the pace of the initial days of Trump’s Presidency. Particularly on defence areas, the EU began ‘on the back foot’ and had a lack of alignment
- Defence has also eclipsed all other topics in the first quarter of 2025 for European policymakers, meaning important themes such as the competitiveness agenda and sustainability have become lower priorities in the short term
- Yet much optimism remains about the future of the EU – many panellists saw US action on trade, tariffs and defence as an opportunity to reshape European institutions to improve their efficiency. There are also perceived economic strengths that can help the EU to push back on Trump’s agenda
- There is now a stronger perception amongst policy elites of European leaders, with the emergence of a new German government, the visible leadership of Emmanuel Macron and the re-entry of the UK into European policy discussions, fronted by Sir Keir Starmer, particularly on security and defence matters
“It’s no surprise that the impact of Trump’s second presidency is giving rise to Europe’s most pressing policy challenges for the next 12 months, particularly for the defence and security sector,” said Jeremy Galbraith, Managing Partner, BOLDT BPI. “But after some early stagefright, the belief of Europe’s most senior policy figures is that the region will dig in its heels and come out stronger in the long run, with the EU largely standing firm on key policy areas.”
The research was conducted during February and March 2025, with panel members remaining anonymous. Message House BPI intends to undertake further research exercises periodically, to provide deep and incisive insights into the beliefs of Europe’s most senior policy figures, which typically mirror those of current policymakers and so can be used by companies and organisations to develop strategy, and plan communication and engagement activity.
“The new forum enables us to gain valuable insights that can only be developed by engaging this level of policy and political experts directly. It adds a new dimension to the intelligence that we can offer to clients”, said Matt Carter, Founder of Message House BPI.
Asked about whether US action would ultimately strengthen Europe, one forum member said: “If the EU has not heard the wake up call that we have now received in Europe, it will be too late. We are now really at a crossroads. We have to decide if we really come closer together and understand ourselves as one functioning block in the world, speaking with one language and one voice.”
BOLDT BPI is part of the BPI Group, which has more than 350 communications, creative, measurement and media professionals across six countries and 12 offices, with more than 120 of them based in Europe. To download the report click here.
