Juncker warns Trump presidency poses risk to US ties with Europe

Donald Trump's surprise election victory risks upsetting the relationship between the US and the European Union, the European Commission's head Jean-Claude Juncker has said.

He said the president-elect is ignorant of the EU, adding that Trump has a lot to learn about Europe, what its values are and how it works, and that it is up to the bloc to teach the Republican.

Addressing a gathering of students at a conference in Luxembourg, Juncker highlighted a statement that Trump made earlier this year in which he appeared to suggest that Belgium that hosts the European Union and Nato, is a city.

"The election of Trump poses the risk of upsetting intercontinental relations in their foundation and in their structure," Reuters quoted Juncker as saying. "We will need to teach the president-elect what Europe is and how it works."

"In general the Americans take no interest in Europe ... During the campaign, Mr Trump said Belgium was a village somewhere on our continent," he added.

The commission chief added that America's political class and "deep America" had no interest in the continent. "I think we will waste two years before Mr. Trump tours the world he does not know," Juncker said.

His blunt and unusually candid assessment of the post-election situation reportedly reflects the widespread concern that some European leaders have voiced against Trump, who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, his remarks are said to be in contrast to the statements of some leaders from the bloc, who have said they look forward to working with the next president.

Reuters reported that Juncker also warned of the "pernicious" consequences of Trump's statements on security as the Republican has questioned the collective defence pact in Nato.

Juncker said: "He takes a view of refugees and non-white Americans which does not reflect European convictions and feelings."

Trump's comments on the Paris climate deal also caused concerns among several world leaders as he vowed to "cancel" the pact within 100 days of taking office.

Earlier on 9 November, the commission chief renewed calls to set up a separate army for the European continent soon after Trump won the 45<sup>th presidential election in the US. He warned that the EU cannot continue to rely on Washington in the long run under a Trump presidency citing that the US would not be in a position to ensure the security of Europeans.

"European security is not true. Independent of the outcome of the US election, the Americans will not see to Europe's security forever. We have to do it ourselves. And this is why we need a new approach to the European community of defence, including a European army," Juncker said.