Foreign governments battered by President Donald Trump’s global bullying are hoping for at least some relief now that Democrats seized back control of Congress in what appears to be a massive repudiation of the Trump administration.
“I was expecting Trump to take a beating, but not a chainsaw massacre like this,” said a European diplomat based in Brussels. “We’re expecting pressure to intensify.”
Diplomats and foreign officials say they know Democratic control of the House and Senate still can’t do much to constrain Trump — who has shattered norms, laid claim to entire countries and abandoned traditional international alliances. But they see it creating more opportunities to push their agendas.
Top of that list: pressing congressional appropriators for help restoring U.S. support for Ukraine and limiting Trump’s punitive tariffs.
“Democrats will likely want to play the game of emphasizing alliances in contrast with an administration that has refused to do so,” said a second, Washington-based, European diplomat. “So we’ll be able to work with Dems willing to say ‘We need action on Ukraine if you want to pass certain funding or budgets’ — otherwise the decision-making process doesn’t change.”
POLITICO talked to 20 people for this story, including diplomats in Washington and in foreign capitals; Capitol Hill lawmakers and staff; and others familiar with discussions. Many of them were granted anonymity due to the sensitivity of discussing foreign governments’ diplomatic strategy towards the U.S.
Many foreign governments are hoping Republicans in Congress might be more amenable to compromise with Democrats — and more open to foreign governments’ arguments — once they have less power on Capitol Hill.
Some diplomats say they have a more modest, but still important goal — just feeling like they have a few like-minded allies again in Washington.
While it “won’t really change foreign policy which comes out of the White House,” more Democratic power in Congress “can be a source of moral support for foreign allies and partners — and that’s important,” after two years of unsupportive encounters with the GOP majority, an Asian diplomat said.
“What we hope for is something basic — greater access to lawmakers with influence,” a third European diplomat said. “At least we’ll be heard.”
These countries’ calculations highlight the desperate hope among beleaguered U.S. allies that a shift in Congress can curb the Trump administration’s stances, even though the president will likely remain an unpredictable and potent force.
“Trump is such a disruptor. Even as a lame duck he’s still Trump and has a hold on the GOP,” a fourth European diplomat said.
They’re still going to try.
Asked about specific outreach on Capitol Hill, foreign missions were vague or circumspect, with many declining to comment or coming back with very diplomatic statements.
The U.K. embassy said its Capitol Hill outreach will remain evenly bipartisan.
“We make it our mission to engage with both sides of the aisle on issues that impact our bilateral relationship, regardless of who holds the majority,” said Duncan Walsh, a spokesperson for the U.K. embassy.
Here are some of the ways foreign governments hope to be able to get more traction with the new Congress.
POLITICO America’s foreign allies hope for a post-midterms check on Trump
