MCC Brussels Discusses Trump’s New World Order

Since the beginning of Donald Trump's second presidency, he has set a pace that puts pressure on both his opponents and allies. Against the backdrop of earthquake-like global transformations, a high-stakes debate unfolded in Brussels, where speakers James Orr (Associate Professor, University of Cambridge; Chair, Edmund Burke Foundation UK) and Guglielmo Picchi (Director for International Relations, Machiavelli Center for Political and Strategic Studies) provided sharp evaluations and criticisms of the current geopolitical moment.

By now, it’s become clear that “Western unity” is no longer a given. With this regard, Europe must stop outsourcing its geopolitical thinking to Washington. The debate wasn’t about nostalgia—it was about survival, seeking new ways and order. Can Europe find strength in its own questions while the U.S. pushes ahead with answers?

Trump has a strategy: he isn’t just disrupting alliances—he’s redefining them. Allies like Canada and Australia are already feeling the heat. Meanwhile, conservatives in Europe are split: adapt to Trump’s rhythm or chart a new, independent path.

James Orr challenged the idea that “Western civilization” still holds strategic value, while others defended its legacy of turning conflict into cultural rebirth.

The evening opened under the shadow of protest. Frank Füredi denounced recent efforts by Antifa activists to disrupt the event, describing the incident as another manifestation of “banal cancel culture.” He criticized what he saw as the double standards of Belgian authorities, noting the irony of freedom of expression being suppressed in the heart of the European Union – a region that prides itself on democratic values.

“Freedom is never guaranteed; it must be fought for repeatedly,” Füredi declared, setting a combative tone for what he described as a crucial discussion on shifting global power dynamics.

Guglielmo Picchi described the current period as chaotic. While conservatives had anticipated major changes, they were unprepared for the pace and scale of Trump’s agenda. “Trump is subverting everything,” said Picchi. Unlike the consensus-based politics of Europe, Trump’s confrontational style is jarring to European leaders. Picchi warned that Trump risks alienating allies such as Canada and Australia, and urged a renewed awareness of Europe as a vital partner.

James Orr argued that the hostility towards Trump in mainstream Europe is rooted in fear—not of Trump himself, but of the growing popularity of national conservative movements. He cited the 2025 electoral sweep by Reform UK and the strengthening of sovereignist parties like VOX, PiS, and Fidesz as part of a broader “toxic Trump effect.” Orr noted that Trump’s rhetoric, including offhand comments about annexing Canada, had unintended global political ripples, helping the left in Canada and weakening conservatives in Australia.

Picchi compared the reaction to Trump with the surprise following Matteo Salvini’s election in Italy. In both cases, he argued, elites underestimated their opponents. While Trump’s re-election was foreseeable, the scale and immediacy of his second-term actions caught many off guard. He also pointed to undemocratic crackdowns on the right across Europe—from France to Romania—and called for vigilance against threats to free speech.

Orr added that Trump’s effectiveness is what shocks Europeans. “He simply delivers on what he promised,” he said. “Europe isn’t used to that.”

On the defining traits of Trump's second presidency, Picchi stated that Trump has restored a sense of “common sense and normality,” albeit on his own terms. He urged Europeans to adapt to a faster political pace, in keeping with today’s volatile world.

Orr framed the issue in broader philosophical terms. For him, America must be seen both as a place and a people—and Europeans must decide who they are in that context. The transatlantic relationship, he argued, should no longer assume American leadership as a given.

Picchi echoed this, reminding the audience of Europe’s strategic importance to the U.S., particularly through its military bases. Yet, he also emphasized the difficulty of decoding the Trump administration’s unconventional rhetoric. Understanding this political “jargon,” he argued, is essential for collaboration.

Orr went further: Europe must recognize its own distinct interests. “Too often, we assume America and Europe are on the same side. That assumption is no longer valid.”

The debate culminated in a discussion of what a “New World Order” under Trump might look like. Orr urged unity among conservatives, who, he said, share core values despite national differences. He criticized the legacy of the 1992 Maastricht Treaty for diluting national identities in favor of a fragile European unity.

He argued that the concept of “Western civilization” has become more of an identity crutch than a meaningful geopolitical framework. Trump, Orr suggested, has rejected such narratives. “He acknowledges the achievements of countries like China or Saudi Arabia without trying to impose Western comparisons. Europeans should take note.”

In the public Q&A, the focus turned to Europe’s global strategy, energy independence, Ukraine's future, and whether Europe can  chart a path without depending on U.S. leadership.

The panel broadly agreed that Europe must stop outsourcing its geopolitical thinking to Washington. Independence, both political and economic, is now a necessity.

A lively intellectual dispute closed the evening. Orr claimed that today’s usage of “Western civilization” reflects a deep identity crisis. Füredi responded passionately, arguing that the West—rooted in ancient Greece—still holds a meaningful legacy. “The strength of the West is that it turns conflict into cultural, scientific, and spiritual rebirth. That is its unique beauty.”

He concluded that Europe must learn from China’s capacity to exploit global instability creatively. “America may have better answers for the future today, but Europe still has the deeper questions. That’s our strength—and our challenge.”