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.

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.

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 Golden State is counting on 25 gigawatts, or about 13% of its electricity, from offshore projects by 2045.

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.

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'

Under international law, countries are obligated to receive their own citizens who are deported by another country. But in practice, there are often ways to push back. Countries can block deportation flights from landing, decline to issue travel documents to their citizens and refuse to acknowledge that the deportees are their citizens.

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 ...

Donald Trump’s address at the World Economic Forum showcased his familiar economic rhetoric. Yet, it could be argued that his speech was marked by economic misconceptions and exaggerations, Piero Cingari writes.

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

The country recently became the first member of the NATO military alliance to commit to raising its defense spending to at least 5% of its overall national economic output, as called for by U.S. President Donald Trump.