EU elections kick off against a backdrop of China disputes, 'greenlash' and possible Trump return

• The EU has been walking a tightrope regarding its links with China.
• The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, is expected to announce new tariffs on Chinese EVs just days after the election takes place.
• The future of the transatlantic relationship is still uncertain as U.S. voters go to the polls in November.

The political makeup of the European Union is about to change with voters across the 27 member states heading to the polls from Thursday until Sunday.

With growing support for far-right parties, analysts expect a more protectionist policies from the bloc, with fewer climate targets and more spending on defense.

CNBC takes a look at why this election matters for Europe and the rest of the world.

European Union lawmakers and officials widely cheered the election win of U.S. President Joe Biden back in 2020, seeing it as a new dawn in the transatlantic relationship. Up until that point, European officials had been significantly challenged by the previous administration, under Donald Trump, which had imposed trade tariffs, disagreed over climate pledges, and shocked mainstream politicians with its combative style.

The future of the transatlantic relationship is still uncertain as U.S. voters go to the polls in November and it remains to be seen if Biden will remain in the White House or if Trump will return.

But regardless of what happens, the EU has learned an important lesson: It might not be able to rely on the U.S. for defense in the future. Trump has previously remarked that he would not protect NATO countries from Russian attacks if they lag on their membership payments. In addition, U.S. lawmakers took several months to approve new financial aid for Ukraine, raising questions about their long-term