The Nobel laureates in Economics 2025 already said it in their latest book: the vision set by the leaders of a country is crucial in determining the course and destiny of a society. Thus, the Trumpist vision of the world is putting Europe's "Weltanschauung" to the test . 

One of the greatest lessons we learned after the two world wars is that cooperation in commercial relations is a source of wealth for all. A clear sample of this was the Marshall Plan, through which the United States disbursed more than twelve and a half billion dollars for the reconstruction of the countries affected by the war, especially Germany. It is worth stressing this last point: especially Germany. The United States recognized that the imposition of excessive burdens on the enemy after the Great War had been a fatal mistake. A mistake that only led to default, division, rancor and, finally, to a second world war. The reaction in 1945 was therefore the opposite. Instead of opposing Germany's growth (as France once again intended), the United States actively cooperated to promote its development. The results were not long in coming: not only did Europe, and Germany in particular, advance, but also the United States, which benefited from this form of solidarity. 

Since Trump came to power, the American vision has changed. Of course, a ruler must first of all look after his citizens, but without failing to honor the responsibilities that, whether we like it or not, come with a position of privilege among other nations. Under the slogan "America first", the "new" protectionism is presented as the only possible way forward. A path which, moreover, seems to lead inexorably towards war. 

However, it does not have to be this way. There is another vision. Another way of projecting the future of nations. It is possible to believe in the capacity for negotiation and cooperation among countries. This implies, first of all, recognizing the reality of the new world order. We live in a multipolar world in which there is no longer only one hegemonic power and in which the dominant nations have manifest cultural differences. To think that such differences prevent understanding is a fallacy. It is precisely at this point that the next task begins. Understanding is achievable, but it requires the will of the parties involved. We must seek new forms of negotiation between the actors in order to build peace. Peace is not defined as the mere absence of war. Peace is built on the basis of effort. We could speak of a true "struggle" for peace.
We need leaders who embrace this vision, who fight for peace. Who believe that it is possible to build bridges between such different civilizations. Who abandon the "me first against the world" vision and propose a "me forward with everybody". This vision is not utopian. In fact, it was the vision implicit in the order we wanted to promote after the war. And now we can also try to understand each other now, or wait for the terrible consequences of a conflict to force us to cooperate. 

Let's be creative. Let's imagine. Let us imagine the world we want to bequeath to our children. Let us nurture that vision, and then let us strive to build a world accordingly.