Is it too late to Make Europe Great Again?

A poll published last week by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) found that much of the world is relishing the return of Donald Trump to the White House. Eighty-four per cent of Indians think Trump will be good for their country as do 61 per cent of Saudis. In Russia, South Africa, China and Brazil, more citizens have faith in The Donald than don’t.

It is in Europe where pessimism reigns. Only 15 per cent of Britons believe Trump will benefit them, a figure that rises to 22 per cent in the EU. This is the same sorry percentage of Europeans who regard Trump’s America as an ally ‘that shares our interests and values’

Analysing the survey in the Guardian, Timothy Garton Ash of the ECFR wrote that the results would have readers ‘spluttering into your coffee’. How could anyone think positively of Trump!

Condescension has long characterised how the Old Continent regards Uncle Sam. Europeans dress like Americans, eat like Americans, watch American films and listen to American music but they retain an air of ineffable superiority.