Europe’s reaction to the EU-US trade deal was rather muted, with France and Hungary heavily criticizing the agreement. Experts say the deal may have geopolitical ramifications and continue Europe’s reliance on the US.
Note: this article affirms some of the theories & views on the the “why’s” of the deal
Key takeaways bullets, which are paraphrased later on:
Europe needs to become more self-reliant, yes, unfortunately, today we are not there yet. This event showcases the need to work for more Intra EU co-operation, innovation and streamlining.
"Meanwhile, Brussels emphasizes that the deal goes beyond the economy. “It’s not just about trade. It’s about security. It’s about Ukraine. It’s about current geopolitical volatility,” EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Brussels said on Monday.
He told reporters that while he couldn’t go into all the details of the talks between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, he could say for sure that they were about more than just trade. For him, it is a big plus that the two biggest economies and closest allies are on the same page when it comes to the geopolitical issues of today.
“Elvire Fabry, Senior Research Fellow at the Jacques Delors Institute, finds it difficult to even describe the recent talks as negotiations. She argues that the EU’s hands were tied due to its dependence on security guarantees from the US. According to Fabry, the framework conditions would have been entirely different if the EU had not needed US support to help defend Ukraine in its war with Russia.”
“AI chips and weapons “shows Europe’s continued reliance on the US in other ways.” Buying from the US is the “best of bad options” for the EU, she says, and makes it clear that Europe has not achieved strategic autonomy.”
He said the US has the same issues with China in many areas. “So it goes without saying that we should work together with our allies.”
The 15% tariff is probably a positive thing. It’s motivation for European companies to find customers outside of the US and eventually decouple, without the shock of a total embargo.
Well that’s what (market) analysts say, at least for the short term horizon, considering the looming 30%.
And there are also larger things at stake than only tariffs, and that’s what this article is all mainly all about.
I would argue “we are not there yet” is exclusively the fault of the EU public.
The fullscale invasion happened 3.5 years ago, that’s more than enough time to begin large scale rearmament and production capacity enlargement. Especially since the impotency of American centre-right is not a secret.
Not to mention russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008 and beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in 2014 (for which Merkel rewarded the russians with Nord Stream 2).
And if you want a common policy and decision making process, you have to make sure that the participants have a common interests. The Hungarians should have been kicked out of the EU and NATO a long time ago.
The citizens have a responsibility, for sure, as do Politicians (see Brexit and/or Nato enlargement). The many cirises that EU needed to face off, also took some of the focus away.
I think the important part is that we have started to move in the right direction, and are gaining momentum, but still Europe is a slow Giant, and things take time.
If we citizens and politicians can work together towards one shared plan, that would definitely speed things up But I’d rather not underestimate internal political divisions, fear, greed, foreign malicious influences and some moral or financial corruption. Though, then again, I believe in the end, we are strong enough to muddle through these hurdles.
I hope you’re right, for both our sakes. I live in Ukraine, but mark my words, if we fall, you’ll be next.
I hope it too because, I don’t want Ukraine to fall and I believe it won’t; and 2. you are right,if Ruz doesn’t fall though I believe they will, we are next.
Technically Europeans (& USA) are already in a warsituation ofcourse. And as China and NK pump up their supplies to Ruz, it’s become a broader partly silent and open war.
Let’s hope for the best. :)
Yes! And let us make sure we ALL do our best to keep our freedoms, and win together! Slava Ukriani.