Europe’s leaders had plenty of warnings about what the U.S. president’s second term might mean, but amid much eye-rolling, hand-wringing and wishful thinking, they failed to agree on a plan.

CHISINAU, Moldova -- President Donald Trump’s abrupt freeze of U.S. foreign aid is sending shockwaves through Eastern Europe, leaving pro-democracy groups, independent media, civil society initiatives and local governments scrambling to make ends meet in a region often defined by rivalries between East and West.

If Europe was strong, it could hit back hard against any bullying from Donald Trump. Brussels and the United Kingdom would be able to match any tariffs on their goods with taxes on U.S. imports. They could add extra duties on carbon-intensive trade to punish the new U.

President Donald Trump has threatened universal duties and said they'll raise money, but he is also using tariff threats as diplomatic leverage.

The US State Department said that the 90-day freeze aims to root out waste and block so-called woke programs to expose US-funded activities 'that run contrary to our national interests'

Trump's aid freeze has left humanitarian projects in Ukraine without funding in the middle of winter, prompting concerns that many would have to close down. Zelensky's comments suggest that Kyiv is hoping that Europe and domestic funders can make up the shortfall as U.S. policy is being worked out.

U.S. President Donald Trump's order to pause spending from the country's climate and infrastructure laws is a chance for Europe to attract clean tech investments, Poland's deputy climate minister told Reuters.

And Europe's traditional powers are already struggling with their ... So: is the continent prepared for Donald Trump or has it been caught napping at the wheel (again)? When it comes to trade and defence, Trump acts more like a transactional businessman ...

BRUSSELS — If Europe wants to avoid a trade war with Donald Trump, it has to buy more from the U.S., boost defense budgets and deregulate to make the EU economy stronger, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told POLITICO.

President also plans to ask for "financial contribution" for maintenance of remaining troops, European diplomatic source said.

The EU unveiled a much-anticipated blueprint to revamp Europe's economic model on Wednesday, marking a shift towards a more business-friendly Brussels after five years of heavy focus on green goals.With US President Donald Trump promising tariffs and a gargantuan AI push,

Europe’s economy stagnated late last year as its former growth engine, Germany, finished a second straight year of shrinking output.