C7673 - THE EU AT THE TIME OF DONALD TRUMP

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

The course blends International Relations and legal approaches to analyze ongoing transformations in the European Union. Thanks to its multidisciplinary nature and through diverse modes of inquiry, students will be able to critically analyze and reflect on contemporary international politics. The modules particularly encourage the development of "soft skills," with a focus on active student participation through various methods and activities, depending on the different disciplines.

Programma/Contenuti

Conceived within the newly established Centro Studi Interdipartimentale Punto Europa (CeSIPE), the course reflects on the challenges facing the European Union in a geopolitical context characterized by the renewed assertiveness of certain international actors, the heightening of global critical issues, and the weakening of the transatlantic relationship. The modules focus on security and defense, the meaning of borders and the management of migration flows, and legal-economic relations, also in light of the debate on the stability of the liberal order. The modules explore specific aspects of a broader theme: transatlantic relations. All focus on the European Union and analyze how the interconnections between economic and security dynamics, and values of liberal political entities impact the policies implemented to respond to the challenges of the Trump Presidency. Each module, therefore, draws inspiration from and contributes to the debate synergistically and coherently, maintaining its own analytical focus.

Testi/Bibliografia

Module 1. Transatlantic relations in distress: challenges for the EU – Sonia Lucarelli (5/6/17/18 November)

This module aims to analyze the transformations of European security during Donald Trump's presidency, a period marked by deep transatlantic tensions, shifts in defense policies, and a weakening of multilateralism. It will explore the main changes in the United States' strategic posture toward Europe, the reactions of European institutions and individual member states, as well as the impact on collective security structures (NATO and CSDP).

 

Module 2. The borders of political communities and of rights: EU's and US' reaction to migration challenges – Michela Ceccorulli (25/27 November and 2/4 December)

This module discusses migration as a highly relevant issue in the current global scenario. Starting from a general overview of the peculiarity of the phenomenon, it reflects on how the European Union has shifted its approach to the governance of the issue since the 2015 so-called ‘refugee crisis’. It takes stock of new narratives introduced or old arguments consolidated to consider how the pillars of the Liberal Order (the EU and the US) have undermined its same credibility in this domain. Readings should be completed before each Class.

Background reading (not mandatory but highly suggested): De Haas, H. (2024), How migration really works, Penguin.

• Migration, definitions and concepts

  De Haas, H., Castles, S. and Miller, M. (2020), ‘Introduction’ and ‘Categories of Migration’, in The Age of Migration, 6th Edition, pp. 1-14; 19-20; 21-41.

  Top statistics on Global Migration and Migrants: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/top-statistics-global-migration-migrants

• The European Union and migration: challenges and opportunities

  Uçarer, E. M. (2013), ‘The Area of Freedom, Security and Justice’, in M. Cini et al. (2013), European Union Politics, Oxford University Press, pp. 281-296.

  Bauböck, R. (2018), Refugee Protection and Burden Sharing in the European Union, Journal of Common Market Studies, 56, 1, 141-156.

• The increasing salience of migration

  Grindheim, J.E. (2019), Why Right-Leaning Populism has Grown in the Most Advanced Liberal Democracies of Europe. The Political Quarterly, 90: 757-771. Available here: Why Right‐Leaning Populism has Grown in the Most Advanced Liberal Democracies of Europe - Grindheim - 2019 - The Political Quarterly - Wiley Online Library [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-923X.12765]

  Class activity (bring your laptop)

• The borders of migration: liberalism undermined in the EU and the US

Webinar: Immigration Actions in First 100 Days of Trump Second Term. Available at: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/events/immigration-first-100-days-trump-second-term

Chisti, M. and Bush-Joseph, K. (2024), Comparing the Biden and Trump deportation record, June 27. Available at: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/biden-deportation-record

 

Module 3. Transatlantic trade relations: the EU's adaptation to the new economic situation -Francesca Ragno (9/11/16/18 December)

The module examines the legal challenges the European Union faces in light of recent shifts in U.S. trade policy. It explores the compatibility of protectionist measures with international law, the EU’s legal instruments for safeguarding its economic interests, and the implications of the changing trade environment for international commercial contracts involving EU businesses.

• Setting the Scene: Trade Law in a Changing World

  E. Helpman, “The Future of Foreign Trade”, NBER Working Paper No. 34189 (2025), National Bureau of Economic Research, https://www.nber.org/papers/w34189 .

• The EU as a Global Trade Power in Challenging Times

  E. Fabry and M. Bertolini, “EU’s trade defense arsenal vs Trump’s imperialism”, Jacques Delors Institute, February 2025, https://institutdelors.eu/en/publications/eus-trade-defense-arsenal-vs-trumps-imperialism

• International Commercial Contracts and EU Businesses in the Context of Trade Wars

  G. Demirel, “Possible Legal Consequences of Trade Wars on the International Sale Contract Subject to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods”, 26 Willamette Journal of International Law and Dispute Resolution, 249–278 (2019), https://www.jstor.org/stable/26915368

• Arbitration, Litigation, and Strategic Contracting in the new Trade Reality

T. K. Alhasan, “Arbitration in the era of trade wars: Balancing sovereignty and global commerce”, (12) Social Sciences & Humanities (2025), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101945

Metodi didattici

Powerpoint presentations, class debates, class activities

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

The Course aims at stimulating the active participation of students. Thus, grades will take into account the points below:

 

- Class attendance and active participation

- One written work (format to be defined)

- Oral presentation of the written work. Two oral sections will be provided

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Power points, videos, newspapers, Official documents

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Michela Ceccorulli

Consulta il sito web di Sonia Lucarelli

Consulta il sito web di Francesca Ragno