What’s Next for the West?

Donald Trump is back in the White House—and with the start of his second term in 2025, pressing questions arise for the Western alliance and Germany’s role within it. During his first presidency, Trump’s “America First” agenda strained traditional partnerships. Now, transatlantic cooperation faces a renewed stress test:

• in matters of security and the NATO alliance,
• in foreign trade and economic relations,
• and in global multilateral engagement.

How should Germany respond to these shifting dynamics? What strategic decisions must be made in foreign, economic, and security policy to safeguard Western values and interests?

Welcome Remarks

Dr. J. Christian Koecke, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
Sebastian Haug, Member of the State Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia, Deputy Member of the Committee on Europe and International Affairs

Keynotes, Discussion, Q&A

Dr. Andrew Denison, Director, Transatlantic Networks
Jürgen Hardt, Member of the German Bundestag, Foreign Policy Spokesman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group
Jan-Frederik Kremer, Managing Director, German Association of Cutlery and Housewares Industry (IVSH)