Donald Trump’s approach to economic policy, international relations, and the energy transition could – according to Prof. Zbigniew Krysiak, Chairman of the Program Council at the Schuman Thought Institute – bring tangible benefits to Poland. The economist points out that if Poland manages to cooperate effectively with the U.S. administration and leverage bilateral relations, the country and its industries could see entirely new opportunities emerge. Especially now, as global debates increasingly point toward a slowdown in the pace of the energy transition.
“Donald Trump’s policies have stirred debate across the world, but they have also created impulses that may influence how the European Union approaches the energy transition,” Prof. Krysiak told Newseria. “The economic burden resulting from the EU’s ambitions to create a superstate is affecting countries with a sense of economic realism – such as Poland. About 30 percent of German companies are planning to relocate operations outside the EU precisely due to high energy costs. This may trigger deregulation and policy shifts within the Union.”
Earlier this year, the European Commission introduced the Omnibus Deregulation Packages, adjusting the pace and method of implementing green and ESG-related legislation to better reflect economic realities and business needs. One of the key changes includes extending deadlines for non-financial reporting obligations, giving companies more time to build systems for data collection, assess environmental and social impacts, and implement procedures aligned with the CSRD, CSDD, and other supply chain responsibility directives.
According to Prof. Krysiak, this gradual change in the EU’s approach to the Green Deal could prove advantageous for Poland—provided that the country effectively capitalizes on the opening opportunities. He points to cheap energy sources, gas and oil supplies, and technological cooperation as areas of strategic importance.
Although Trump’s tariff policy remains controversial, the economist sees potential positives for Poland as well.
“Donald Trump’s decision to raise customs duties does not significantly worsen Poland’s economic position,” notes Prof. Krysiak. “Expanding trade in virtually every area is possible. Today, trade with the U.S. represents only one-fifth of our trade with Germany. Cooperation with the United States could accelerate the construction of nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors (SMRs). Poland also has great potential in heavy industry and defense – Polish companies are already supplying advanced missile control systems to the U.S. military.”
A vital element of such cooperation could be technology transfer.
“The Americans invest, we produce – and the result is GDP growth and innovation development. Importing know-how would create added value and increase productivity. Donald Trump has already signaled his willingness to grant Poland special treatment; it’s up to us to seize this opportunity,” says Krysiak. “Poland could gain a privileged position in accessing artificial intelligence chip technologies, which will be a key competitive factor in the decades to come.”
He adds that joint efforts with the U.S. could also open access for Poland to the vast Indian market, home to 1.4 billion people, since its scale requires collaboration with a strong partner such as the United States. America could also provide Poland with affordable energy, natural gas, and cutting-edge technologies—advantages that Germany is no longer in a position to offer. Meanwhile, Poland could become a bridge between the U.S. and Europe, serving as a strategic American foothold on the continent, as the U.S. gains greater significance in Poland’s foreign trade.
Currently, the United States ranks as Poland’s eighth-largest trading partner in both exports and imports by shipment country, and third in imports by country of origin. Germany remains the dominant partner, accounting for 26.9 percent of Polish exports from January to July 2025 and over one-fourth of total imports, with nearly one-fifth of all imported goods originating there. However, the gap between Germany and Poland’s other trade partners is narrowing.
“Without a doubt, the United States will become our second most important trading partner, after Germany—and eventually even the first,” predicts Prof. Krysiak. “This will result from our growing reliance on America’s virtually unlimited gas and energy resources, and its nuclear technology potential, which Germany cannot offer. At the same time, the U.S. has a strategic interest in maintaining a strong presence in Europe and the Three Seas region, ensuring influence in Ukraine as well.”
Prof. Krysiak concludes that Trump’s policies—despite their controversial and protectionist elements—could ultimately reshape transatlantic cooperation in a way that strengthens Poland’s role as a key European ally of the United States, fostering technological growth, energy security, and industrial competitiveness in the years ahead.
