Trump vs. Europe: critical roles for tourism?

Abstract

Less than a year into Donald Trump’s second presidency, global politics has shifted toward unilateralism, the weaponization of trade and finance, and rising authoritarianism. Media and data influence have become increasingly concentrated among billionaires and major technology companies, whose control over personal data and public opinion undermines democratic governance. These developments reinforce structural dependencies and are not consistent with the European Union’s objectives of sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and social cohesion. Tourism, as a sector reliant on fossil fuels, digital platforms, and cross-border mobility, exemplifies how U.S.-dominated infrastructures generate economic rents, extract data, and constrain European policy autonomy. Strategic tourism governance offers instruments to address these dependencies, including energy transition, regulation of digital platforms, and visa policies. Such measures can enhance European sovereignty, market-value retention, and strategic autonomy, while signaling political accountability. By framing tourism as a site of structural intervention, Europe can reduce economic and informational asymmetries with the United States, strengthen resilience against unilateral policies, and support a broader strategy of independence, sustainability, and democratic stability.