Lack of EU
unity behind plunging US ties
By George N. Tzogopoulos Source:Global Times
Published: 2018/5/23
The EU and the US have entered a period of serious
crisis in relations. Although transatlantic ties have seen the worse in the
past, the current problem seems different. Both sides are not disagreeing on a
specific issue - like over the 2003 Iraq war - but on several, if not on all
fronts. The administration of US President Donald Trump is challenging the
fundamental aspects of American foreign and economic policy vis-à-vis Europe as
they were played out during the Barack Obama years.
It all stems from Trump's general approach toward the European integration project. The US president does not believe in its importance and repudiates its role in the world. His support for Brexit and the way he expressed his admiration for the decision of British citizens outlines his stance. Trump prefers to negotiate with specific European countries instead of the EU as a body. As a matter of principle, this policy is rather similar to his opposition to multilateral free trade agreements such as NAFTA, TPP and TTIP.
Looking at specific cases, Trump finds it unacceptable for European member states to count on American support within NATO without allocating at least 2 percent of their GDP to defense. So, he is putting pressure on European allies to increase their contributions to the military alliance. Although most have agreed to gradually achieve the 2 percent target, they are certainly not happy in being forced to do so by Washington.
Notwithstanding the EU's complaints on the American stance, the bloc is unable to take solid steps to bolster its defense against external threats irrespective of the US military presence. The Permanent Structured Cooperation constitutes an interesting initiative but its scope will be limited.
Moreover, US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord is another hurdle in the transatlantic partnership. Washington wants to chart its own path even in environmental affairs. French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the European multilateral position on this subject. He has failed to make his US counterpart relent, although the latter has said "something could happen" in their Paris meeting last year. The EU and the US will hardly be on the same page under Trump administration.
In the economic sphere, Trump finds it unacceptable that the EU has enjoyed a trade surplus for years and is threatening it with tariffs following his initial March announcement. European Commission data shows that this surplus was €122.0 billion ($143.5 billion) in 2015, €113.2 billion in 2016 and €119.7 in 2017 and Trump is trying to upset the apple cart. Washington has informed Brussels that its provisional exemption from tariffs will not be permanent. The decision on the waiver is expected by the end of the month and could lead to more acrimony.
And now it is the Iran nuclear deal which is making the EU and the US face off. Trump believes the agreement is not working and withdrew while the EU considers it successful and seeks to keep it alive in collaboration with China and Russia.
Subsequently, the US could sanction European companies doing business in Iran. So, the bloc has either to take measures in order to protect its own companies or accept the American policy and lose important contracts in the Iranian market. Most scholars believe the second option is most likely as Washington generally has the upper hand.
Under these circumstances, President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has commented on transatlantic relations by tweeting that "with friends like that who needs enemies."
This is an exaggerated tweet, especially taking into account the strategic nature and historical roots of the transatlantic partnership.
Of course, the only problem of the EU is not Trump. It is Brussels' incapacity to make it on its own. In the Obama years, it could get almost what it wanted from Washington. Now this is not the case. That is politics and Europe needs to accept the reality and emerge stronger.
Ironically, lack of unity within the EU is sometimes more painful than its differences with the US. No much optimism is therefore generated.
The author is a lecturer at the European Institute in Nice, France. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
It all stems from Trump's general approach toward the European integration project. The US president does not believe in its importance and repudiates its role in the world. His support for Brexit and the way he expressed his admiration for the decision of British citizens outlines his stance. Trump prefers to negotiate with specific European countries instead of the EU as a body. As a matter of principle, this policy is rather similar to his opposition to multilateral free trade agreements such as NAFTA, TPP and TTIP.
Looking at specific cases, Trump finds it unacceptable for European member states to count on American support within NATO without allocating at least 2 percent of their GDP to defense. So, he is putting pressure on European allies to increase their contributions to the military alliance. Although most have agreed to gradually achieve the 2 percent target, they are certainly not happy in being forced to do so by Washington.
Notwithstanding the EU's complaints on the American stance, the bloc is unable to take solid steps to bolster its defense against external threats irrespective of the US military presence. The Permanent Structured Cooperation constitutes an interesting initiative but its scope will be limited.
Moreover, US withdrawal from the Paris climate accord is another hurdle in the transatlantic partnership. Washington wants to chart its own path even in environmental affairs. French President Emmanuel Macron has emphasized the European multilateral position on this subject. He has failed to make his US counterpart relent, although the latter has said "something could happen" in their Paris meeting last year. The EU and the US will hardly be on the same page under Trump administration.
In the economic sphere, Trump finds it unacceptable that the EU has enjoyed a trade surplus for years and is threatening it with tariffs following his initial March announcement. European Commission data shows that this surplus was €122.0 billion ($143.5 billion) in 2015, €113.2 billion in 2016 and €119.7 in 2017 and Trump is trying to upset the apple cart. Washington has informed Brussels that its provisional exemption from tariffs will not be permanent. The decision on the waiver is expected by the end of the month and could lead to more acrimony.
And now it is the Iran nuclear deal which is making the EU and the US face off. Trump believes the agreement is not working and withdrew while the EU considers it successful and seeks to keep it alive in collaboration with China and Russia.
Subsequently, the US could sanction European companies doing business in Iran. So, the bloc has either to take measures in order to protect its own companies or accept the American policy and lose important contracts in the Iranian market. Most scholars believe the second option is most likely as Washington generally has the upper hand.
Under these circumstances, President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has commented on transatlantic relations by tweeting that "with friends like that who needs enemies."
This is an exaggerated tweet, especially taking into account the strategic nature and historical roots of the transatlantic partnership.
Of course, the only problem of the EU is not Trump. It is Brussels' incapacity to make it on its own. In the Obama years, it could get almost what it wanted from Washington. Now this is not the case. That is politics and Europe needs to accept the reality and emerge stronger.
Ironically, lack of unity within the EU is sometimes more painful than its differences with the US. No much optimism is therefore generated.
The author is a lecturer at the European Institute in Nice, France. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
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