BRUSSELS – For probably the most combative nations, at this time’s extraordinary summit between the heads of state and authorities of the European Union shall be helpful to determine probably the most applicable instruments in responding to American initiatives on the Greenlandic or business entrance. For the extra cautious nations, the summit will serve to take inventory of the state of affairs. In the background there’s a sturdy shared feeling of frustration in the direction of Washington; the need to emancipate oneself from the American ally is nevertheless nonetheless a supply of divisions.
In a speech yesterday in Strasbourg, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen outlined the open questions: «The change within the worldwide order just isn’t solely radical, however it’s also everlasting. The velocity of change far exceeds something we have now seen in latest a long time (…) We should abandon conventional European warning (…) The world is altering quicker than our mentality.”
Later, Ms von der Leyen added: “Our institutions, our governments and our societies, all of us, must transform the way we think and act.” The president of the Commission seemed more combative yesterday. Even at the beginning of the week, one of his spokespersons urged us to avoid escalation with the Trump administration, despite sensational threats to annex Greenland and impose new tariffs.
Has Ms von der Leyen perhaps decided to raise the stakes to avoid criticism of the particularly unbalanced trade agreement signed with the Trump administration last summer? No one has forgotten the photo of the smiling president with her thumb raised next to Donald Trump. Or does the president feel that the European wind is pointing towards greater assertiveness towards the United States? Both factors probably weigh.
Today’s summit will not less than serve to take inventory of the state of affairs. On the commerce entrance, the European Union can reply to threats of recent tariffs from the American aspect with counter-duties or with a 2023 regulation that enables it to react to makes an attempt at financial coercion, concentrating on massive and influential digital corporations. There are additionally rumors of a doable boycott of the Football World Cup happening this yr within the United States.
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