In a bold statement, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has called for Europe to adopt a more “belligerent” approach in its dealings with the United States under the Trump administration. O’Leary argued that Europe needs to stop “trying to pander” to the US president and instead stand up to him.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin, O’Leary said that if Trump threatens Europe with tariffs, the EU should respond in kind. “Trump will chicken out, he generally does,” the Ryanair boss said, noting that a trade war would be short-lived given the close economic ties between the two regions.
O’Leary acknowledged that he was unsure of the potential impact on his low-cost airline, but maintained that Europe must assert itself as a “big, wealthy economy” and the second-largest trading bloc in the world. “Europe needs to get its act together,” he stated.
The outspoken airline executive expressed hope that “common sense will prevail” and that a trade war can be avoided. However, he said that if one were to occur, he expects aircraft and engines to be exempted.
O’Leary argued that Trump will be focused on driving down oil prices and interest rates in the lead-up to the US midterm elections in November, which could result in lower fares. He praised the president’s calls for increased NATO spending and opposition to “environmental taxation,” but criticised his stance on tariffs, Ukraine and Greenland.
“Where he’s wrong, Europe should stand up as a strong trading bloc and tell him he’s wrong, and stop trying to pander to him and invite him to dinner,” O’Leary said.
The Ryanair chief’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between the EU and the US over a range of trade and foreign policy issues under the Trump administration.
