INTERVIEW An American Republican from New York, former advisor to Trump, describes Nicușor Dan as "one of the most insightful European leaders when it comes to the relationship with the United States".

INTERVIEW An American Republican from New York, former advisor to Trump, describes Nicușor Dan as "one of the most insightful European leaders when it comes to the relationship with the United States" "We are used to talking about friends and allies. I don't think Trump thinks that way," says James Jay Carafano, former advisor to Donald Trump and an influential voice among American conservatives, in an interview for the HotNews audience. "Romania is an example of a European country that acts correctly," says James Jay Carafano, from the conservative Heritage Foundation. "In Romania you worked with determination to reduce public debt. There are still, obviously, very important structural problems: you have far too many state-owned companies and far too much inefficiency. These problems must be solved and only a stable government can truly address them," affirms the Republican advisor. What he says about George Simion, Nicușor Dan, and the economic areas of cooperation between Romania and the USA. If you choose to become a member of HotNews Premium, you support independent journalism. Don't "buy" a month or a year of subscription, but contribute to a public vigilance service from which we all benefit in our communities. HotNews has been to the United States and has spoken with American figures and Romanians from the US, of various backgrounds and professions. They are compatriots: entrepreneurs, teachers, judges, and scientists. Some Romanians support President Trump, others do not. All their opinions, informed, believe that they are valuable for describing the US-Romania relationship in realistic terms. Who is James Jay Carafano James Jay Carafano served in the US military for 25 years, then led the defense and foreign policy team of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative organization influential in both Trump administrations. Today, he is the principal advisor to the Heritage Foundation president. James Jay Carafano advised Donald Trump in the first election campaign and was part of the team that prepared for the takeover of power after the 2016 victory. Republican administrations took proposals from the Heritage Foundation and appointed people from the organization to important positions, and Donald Trump put many of their proposals into practice in the second term. HotNews spoke with Carafano in New York. "There are other European leaders who stand out more in the headlines. But when it comes to day-to-day work..." HotNews: Mr. Carafano, have you met President Nicușor Dan in America? What is the toughest message from Washington that you believe he still needs to hear? James Carafano: The key to this relationship is to understand that the Trump administration is very pragmatic. It is truly interested in those who want to work with the US, but who also understand that they must make efforts. So: what do you gain and what do we gain? For example, regarding the support for a larger American military presence in Romania, I believe that Romanians are with the Baltic states and Poland in how they argue their position: why is this good for Romania and why is it good for the US? In terms of economic agreements, critical minerals, and other investments, I believe that Romania has had a very proactive approach. Likewise, regarding infrastructure, such as the Constanța port, and the things we can do together. I say this with all sincerity: there are other European leaders who stand out more and appear more often in the headlines. But when it comes to day-to-day work, about how to build the relationship with the US and get positive results, I believe that President Nicușor Dan has understood the mechanism just as well as any of them. I actually believe that the president is one of the most insightful European leaders when it comes to the relationship with the United States. "Romanians have done this systematically, without noise, but with determination. It has been seen." – Last year you came to Bucharest and met the president and more than half of the members of the Government. What did you tell them in private that Romania must change and, a year later, has not changed? – I don't know if they have made changes because I told them, but my message was this: the key to the relationship with the US is to be pragmatic, proactive, constructive, and to get involved. Don't wait for the United States to come and say: "Here is what I want you to do." And don't lead Americans to ask: "What do you want?" Just say: "Here is what we believe we can do together, as countries." In the last year, Romanians have done exactly this, systematically, without much noise, but with a lot of determination. And I believe this has been seen in the bilateral relationship. I believe that the US considers Romania one of the trusted and constructive allies in Central Europe. We all talk about Poland. Poland receives a lot of attention, it is a large country, it is the largest economy in Europe (in Central and Eastern Europe, according to Eurostat data, n.r.). But when it comes to the countries on which the United States can rely, Romania is at the forefront of the list. "It's not about giving a street name to Donald Trump..." – Romania really wants Washington's attention. But do we have only real access or influence? – In Washington, things work like this: you have access only if you have influence. Many look to the example of Shinzo Abe, the leader of Japan, perhaps the first world leader who truly built a strong relationship with the President of the United States. And everyone says: we must do what Abe did. So people focus on image: Abe said nice things about Trump and played golf with him. But what truly consolidated the relationship was the fact that Abe came to the United States and spoke very openly, being perhaps one of the first world leaders to do so: "I want to work with you. What can we do together? We have a vision of what we believe we can do together." It is not about giving a street name to Donald Trump. The benefits of both countries – In Bucharest, a park was being built... – Exactly, exactly. And not even about saying nice things about him. It is about doing things together that bring benefits to both countries. And I believe that Romania has worked a lot in this direction. What impresses him: "You don't have a government, neither elections solve anything, but you succeed..." – From your perspective, what does Romania want from the relationship with Washington? – I think the agenda is quite clear. Obviously, military cooperation, the joint use of military bases, and collective security are at the forefront. Then, of course, infrastructure. Starting with the port and continuing with the development of connections within the country, so that the Black Sea becomes a real highway for Eastern Europe. "Potential in agriculture" Then we must talk about the development of the energy sector, the digital development, and other forms of economic development. I believe there is a lot of potential in the relationship between the United States and Romania and in agriculture, and in the valuation of water resources. All of this is already on the agenda. I believe that nuclear energy is also on the agenda. "Romania is an example of a European country that acts correctly." Therefore, I believe that Romanians have taken the message about how to work with the United States very seriously. Romania is an example of a European country that acts correctly. And I must say that it is truly remarkable that all this is being achieved by a country that has one of the most chaotic internal political situations in Europe. You don't manage to form a government, you don't manage to appoint a prime minister, and elections don't seem to solve anything, because I don't believe much changes. And, despite this political chaos, you have a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Ministry of Finance, and a Presidential Administration that move forward and make things work. It is, in fact, quite impressive. "Too many state-owned companies and far too much inefficiency" – You mentioned more areas of cooperation. But for cooperation, there must also be guarantees. A few months ago, you warned that Romania needs political stability. At what point do you think instability can begin to affect Romania's credibility in Washington? – The United States is less concerned with the composition of the Government and more with the results it achieves. And Romanians are advancing on many fronts, in many areas. Work with determination to reduce public debt. There are still, obviously, very important structural problems: you have far too many state-owned companies and far too much inefficiency. These problems must be solved and only a stable government can truly address them. For now, the Government is producing results, and that matters in the short term. Pillars in James Carafano's vision: "The European Union, NATO, and the United States" I believe that the evaluation from the US – this is my personal evaluation and probably shared to a large extent in the administration – is that, despite the entire political chaos, one will arrive at a government whose policy will be supported, in essence, on three pillars: the European Union, NATO, and the United States. I believe this will be the foundation. And I believe that any government that will last long will follow this model. We bet on this. And the American evaluation is that this represents the most stable and productive plan for long-term success, not just from the perspective of American interests. You can't go with the idea: "We don't care about the EU," "We will lie to the United States," or "We will defend NATO." You must invest in all three in equal measure. Each has strengths and weaknesses, but together, they offer you the most solid path in terms of security, growth, and stability. And this, my friends, is the true definition of strategic autonomy. People believe that strategic autonomy means "we can do anything we want" or "we don't need anyone." This is completely false. Strategic autonomy means making the best decisions in the interest of your country. "Nicușor Dan is probably the quietest and most reserved leader I have ever met." For a medium-sized country like Romania, the best way to protect its sovereignty and growth prospects is to have stable partnerships, in which each partner brings something and enhances the country's advantages. Therefore, the EU, the US, and NATO represent a formula that suits Romania, due to its geographical position, economy, and security situation. I believe it suits very, very well. And I must tell you something about your president: I don't believe there is anyone in the country who understands these things better than him. It is interesting that we are so fascinated by Meloni, because he has such a strong personality, Viktor Orbán, and other leaders. But I have met many world leaders. Nicușor Dan is probably the quietest and most reserved leader I have ever met. And yet, I must tell you that, from a geopolitical perspective – and I believe also in terms of domestic politics – he truly understands what needs to be done for Romania to succeed. "Distance yourself from Meloni!" – So, cooperation with the EU, NATO, and the US. But in Romania there is also a debate about what to prioritize: cooperation within the EU or cooperation with the US. – I give you a very good example. I believe the EU is completely wrong in terms of energy policy. Decarbonization is a total stupidity. An energy policy dictated by climate change is a total failure. The priority must be abundant, available, and affordable energy. In this area, I believe that the US and Romania have much closer positions. And I believe that here, to some extent, you must distance yourself from Meloni. On Migration The migration policy is another example. Open borders are a disaster. We just saw in Sweden a situation where, in fact, the power balance of the country changed because of a population settled there for less than a year, which has no stake in the future of that country and will, in the majority of cases, benefit from social aid. And these people are precisely the ones who have decided who will govern. This is not a situation that any European country should view with enthusiasm. (Refers to the fact that on September 15th, the conservative Swedish parliamentarian Fredrik Kärrholm wrote in the British publication The Spectator that approximately 200,000 people had obtained Swedish citizenship in the previous legislature and that, in the very tight parliamentary election on September 13th, their votes could have tipped the balance. This is a political interpretation; the article does not support that the respective persons lived in Sweden for less than a year before. In parliamentary elections, only Swedish citizens can vote, and the rule for naturalization provides at least five years of residence, extended to eight years from June 2026, with certain exceptions, according to the Swedish Migration Agency, n.r.) "If you want foreign direct investment, the United States represents a huge source of such investments." – We don't have a problem with immigration yet. – Because, in my opinion, Romania has adopted a very correct position on this. (Romania continues to allow legal immigration for work: the government set a quota of 90,000 newly admitted foreign workers to the labor market for 2026, compared to 100,000 in 2025. The authorities separately apply measures to combat illegal migration, n.r.) There are, therefore, areas where the EU will obviously be the framework in which you must work. And there are others where the United States is your natural partner. For example, if you want foreign direct investment, the United States represents a huge source of such investments. Then there are, obviously, things that concern the specific situation of Romania. Membership in NATO, for example, makes Romania a much more attractive security partner for the United States. I don't believe "balance" is the right word. Think of a toolbox: when you are building something, there are things you need a hammer for and things you need a screwdriver for. A true statesman knows which tool to choose for each task. This is how relations with the United States, NATO, and the European Union must be managed. Tomorrow, in HotNews, the second part of the interview with James Jay Carafano, in which the Republican says that "The way Romanians managed the elections was deplorable, but the US is determined to go further."