MADRID — Europe's far-right leaders have expressed enthusiastic support for U.S. President Donald Trump's agenda, framing the moment as a pivotal shift for Europe during an event organized by Spain's Vox party in Madrid, dubbed "Make Europe Great Again." Notable attendees included Hungarian Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Italian Deputy Premier and French National Rally leader Marine Le Pen.

During the gathering, both Salvini and Vox president Santiago Abascal sought to downplay fears regarding potential tariff hikes by Trump, arguing that the European Union's own taxes and regulations pose a greater threat to the continent's prosperity. "The great tariff is the Green Deal and the confiscatory taxes of Brussels and socialist governments across Europe," remarked Abascal.

Salvini cited the upcoming German elections on February 23 as a “historic opportunity,” highlighting that the far-right Alternative for Germany party is currently gaining traction in polls, trailing only the opposition led by Friedrich Merz. He criticized the current German government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling it "the most disastrous government of the post-war period."

Another significant topic addressed was the enforcement of Europe's borders against illegal immigration, a point of concern echoed by all speakers, despite a notable decrease in irregular border crossings into the EU reported by the border control agency Frontex in 2024. Le Pen emphasized that Trump's election represented a "real change" for Europe, suggesting that the European leaders present are well-positioned to engage with Trump on various fronts, particularly in technological advancements such as artificial intelligence.

"We are the only ones that can talk with the new Trump administration," Le Pen claimed, voicing confidence in their ability to impact future U.S.-European relations.