The former EU chief says that the U.S. is now "much more unpredictable" for Europe.

• The unpredictable nature of the U.S. will intensify the difficulties for the incoming European Parliament, as predicted by former EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
• Barroso expressed concern to CNBC about the anxiety in Europe regarding the upcoming U.S. elections and the potential impact of a second term for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on transatlantic relations.
• Some uncertainty exists regarding the direction the United States should take, causing anxiety.

The unpredictable nature of the US will intensify the difficulties faced by the incoming European Parliament in managing its relationships with China and Russia, as predicted by former EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

On Monday, CNBC reported that Barroso expressed concern about the impact of a second term for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on transatlantic relations, citing "anxiety" in Europe over the upcoming U.S. elections.

The European Union is facing a more aggressive Russia, a more assertive China, and a more unpredictable United States of America, as stated by Barroso to CNBC's Silvia Amaro.

The European Parliament is preparing for a new five-year term with the far right gaining record support, while centrist parties retained a majority in last week's EU elections. The EU's response to Russia's war in Ukraine and managing increasing trade tensions between the U.S. and China will be high on the agenda.

Barroso, who served as commission president from 2004 to 2014, stated that the U.S. remains the EU's "biggest ally," and that the two share close ties, including within NATO. However, he pointed out that the bloc is facing a more uncertain future.

Goldman Sachs International's non-executive chairman, Barroso, stated that we are very close to the United States in both geopolitical and trade and investment terms.

There are uncertainties about the direction the United States should take, causing some anxiety.

A more self-sufficient EU

The former Portuguese prime minister observed that a more unpredictable U.S. could motivate Europe to become more self-reliant.

He stated that former President Trump was correct when he urged Europe to increase its defense spending, which was later accelerated due to the conflict on its borders.

The Inflation Reduction Act and Chinese green subsidies have prompted the EU to adopt a more "political" approach to its industrial strategy, according to Barroso.

"The EU will prioritize resilience over efficiency in its political approach to investments and trade flows, as stated by the speaker. This shift is already evident in the U.S., China, and other parts of the world, and it is also happening in Europe."