Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email
Please enter a valid email address
Please enter a valid email address
SIGN UP
I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice
Thanks for signing up to the
Inside Washington email
{{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}
European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde has warned that the re-election of Donald Trump as president of the United States would be a threat to Europe.
In an interview with France 2 TV, she said the way Mr Trump conducted his first term as president was enough to raise concerns over his potential return to power.
“If we should learn lessons from history, from the way he led the first four years of his mandate, it is clearly a threat,” Ms Lagarde said during the interview.
“It’s sufficient to look at the trade tariffs, the commitment to Nato, the fight against climate change. In just these three areas, in the past [under Trump], US interests were not aligned with European interests.”
Observers said Ms Lagarde’s comments marked a departure from the customary practice of central bank’s leaders to avoid involvement in political matters.
RECOMMENDED
Trump turns on Vivek Ramaswamy: ‘Don’t get duped’
Undo
CNN conducts lengthy fact check after Trump’s misleading post-hearing rant
Undo
URUHIME MOMOKO
A woman in her 40s drank "Ceramide" and her skin became…URUHIME MOMOKO| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
8days
Rebecca Lim shared very important news8days| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Powered by Taboola Powered by Taboola
She was asked if a second Trump presidency could leave Europe alone in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s full-scale invasion. To this, Ms Lagarde said this was unlikely “because in the US Congress, there are a number of elected members who are deeply hostile to Russia’s horrific war against Ukraine and who will continue to finance and support Ukraine”.
Promoted stories
Anti Aging | Search Ads
The Best Anti-Aging Creams 2022-2023: The Ranking Will Surprise YouAnti Aging | Search Ads Search Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
She continued: “You mustn’t forget that even in a presidential system like the American one, the Congress has considerable strength.”
Asked about European inflation, the 68-year-old ECB president said the “hardest and worst bit” of dealing with inflation was likely over. She noted that if the ECB could be certain that inflation had dropped to the 2 per cent level, they would consider cutting interest rates.
“I think that rates, barring any further shocks or unexpected data, will not continue to go up. And if we win our fight against inflation, and if we are certain that inflation will indeed be at 2 per cent, at that point rates will start to go down,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump tried to backtrack on his previous suggestion that he would be a dictator for the first day of his next term if he wins this year’s election.
His comments came during a town hall in Des Moines, Iowa on Fox News just a few days ahead of the first-in-the-nation Republican primary contest on 15 January. The former president chose to attend the town hall instead of debating challengers Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis on CNN.
More about Christine Lagarde European Central Bank United States Donald Trump Europe
Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
1/ 1Trump ‘clearly a threat’ to Europe, says head of European Central Bank
Trump ‘clearly a threat’ to Europe, says head of European Central Bank
Former US President and 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, on 10 January 2024
AFP via Getty Images
Promoted stories
WallStreet Viral
The Cost Of A Funeral In Singapore In 2024 May Surprise YouWallStreet Viral| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Body Design News
People who can't lose weight may not have tried "this"!Body Design News| Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Best Hearing Aids
Seniors Born Before 1967 Are Eligible For Invisible Hearing AidsBest Hearing Aids| Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Read More Comments
Collapse Comments
？ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe
Already subscribed? Log in