Uppermost in their minds was the challenge of responding to Donald Trump's election as the next US president.
French President Emmanuel Macron narrowly beat his European counterparts in the race to congratulate Trump by trumpeting France's good wishes on social media platform X in the early hours of Nov 6, even before Trump gathered all the necessary Electoral College votes to become America's President-elect.
All other European heads of state and governments quickly followed suit. Warm congratulations also came from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose country has the most to fear from Trump's return to power.
But behind this jolly diplomatic facade, there is an acute sense of nervousness in Europe about the return to the White House of a man who has frequently dismissed the relevance of Europe, questioned America's security commitment to the continent and vowed to throttle the delivery of US weapons to Ukraine.
To complicate matters further, just as Europe hoped to be on its best behaviour by presenting a united front to the incoming Trump administration, the government of Germany collapsed on Nov 6, plunging Europe's biggest nation into political turmoil.
The timing could not have been more awkward for the entire continent.
When Trump stunned the world by winning the US presidency for the first time in 2016, the Europeans initially adopted a dismissive, patronising attitude.
Dr Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor at that time, famously sent Trump a lengthy letter outlining terms and principles the incoming US president was expected to adhere to if Washington wanted good relations with Europe.
However, the Europeans soon realised that, far from "taming" Trump, their haughty behaviour only infuriated the US leader.
His relations with Germany - particularly with Dr Merkel - went from bad to worse.
This story is from the November 08, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 08, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Japan's True Blue Tradition
Call it an antidote to fast fashion. Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs.
6 easy dishes to pack for lunch
Nutritionists and food content creators suggest these healthy and convenient recipes
Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu
On an early episode of Netflix's hit reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars (2024), chef Anh Sung-jae stood in a warehouse filled with makeshift cooking stations and considered the plate in front of him: a rainbow palette of handmade pastas, purees and delicately cooked seafood. On top was a smattering of flower petals.
Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut
Emerald Hill looks set to be the must-watch local blockbuster series of 2025.
Refreshed museums in SG60 arts
A timely slate of refreshed spaces and new programmes at Singapore's arts and cultural institutions will be launched in 2025, wooing audiences with a different Singapore story as the nation gears up to mark 60 years of independence.
Going casual to woo fickle diners
Serious artwork on the wall. Bespoke crockery on cloth-covered tables. A fine wine list. Eye-watering menu prices. Just don't call it a fine-dining restaurant.
Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter
From tracking heart rate to steps taken to sleep quality, smartwatches and fitness trackers can generate biometric data about the people using them.
Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game
In 2025, the big studios are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a disease plaguing the box office – superhero fatigue.
Big-name musicals to hit the stage
Soothing melodies and soaring high notes are set to fill the air, as the coming year brings along a host of musicals to the Lion City.
Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks
Architecture and urban design take centre stage in 2025, with marquee events such as a year-long celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60) and launches of Sentosa attractions to enhance the destination's \"islander allure\".
