WASHINGTON, January 16. /TASS/. European Union countries are less than thrilled about the prospect of ex-US President Donald Trump returning to the White House following the upcoming presidential election, Bloomberg reports.

"Some leaders are scared to even mention the prospect of his return for fear of making it more likely," the media outlet said, citing a senior diplomat. Bloomberg points out that "many US allies are concerned about Trump’s America First rhetoric and threats to pull out of NATO, not to mention his protectionist trade policies." In the meantime, countries across the world "are quietly - but urgently - preparing for Trump’s possible return to the White House."

On January 15, the ex-US president secured a landslide victory in the Republican caucuses (gatherings of party activists) in the key Midwestern farm state of Iowa. Trump won 51% of the vote after the dust cleared.

The Iowa caucuses mark the start of the Republican Party’s process for selecting a candidate to go up against the eventual Democratic Party nominee, who it is widely assumed will be incumbent President Joe Biden, in the November presidential vote. The US will hold its presidential election in November. Biden officially launched his campaign for a second term in the White House on April 25, 2023. His predecessor, Trump, announced his own comeback re-election bid in November 2022. He is regarded as the favorite to win the Republican Party’s nomination.