“We (the EU and the US) must work together. We are allies and friends,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, for example.
On the other hand, Belgian Prime Minister Alexandre de Croix stated: “We are allies, and it would be ridiculous if we taxed each other with [muitas] tariffs when we have a common competitor - China.”
They were echoed by the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, who emphasized that “it is important to build good relations with the new [ASV] administration”.
“We still get a lot of LNG (liquefied gas) from Russia. Why not replace it with American LNG, which is cheaper,” von der Leyen added.
However, von der Leyen pointed out that the war started by Russia against Ukraine also affects the interests of the United States, because Moscow is now supported by China, Iran and North Korea.
“Indo-Pacific [reģiona] and European security are interconnected, and the interests of the US and the EU are also interconnected,” the EC president emphasized.
True, the main issue of Friday’s summit was increasing the bloc’s competitiveness, not the issue of Ukraine.
The leaders of the member states adopted the “Budapest Declaration”, which contains a 12-point plan to accelerate the growth of the EU economy.
“If the Americans have decided to make America great again, we must make Europe great again,” Orban stressed.
Meanwhile, von der Leyen and other EU leaders expressed their determination to support Ukraine, even if the US changes its foreign policy under Trump.
EU leaders on Friday also condemned attacks by pro-Palestinian gangs on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam on Thursday.
The leaders of several member states also called for an external investigation into the violations committed in the parliamentary elections in Georgia.
According to the official results, the “Georgian Dream” party, founded and actually led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, won the elections held on October 26, which allegedly won an absolute majority.
The President of Lithuania Gitans Nausėda stated that everyone knows that Ivanishvili is behind the falsification of the election results, and that everyone knows how close his relations are with Russia.
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news, I’m your host, and today we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Elena Thompson, an expert in international relations and economic policy. Welcome, Dr. Thompson!
Dr. Thompson: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. Recent comments from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen suggest a growing recognition of the importance of unity between the EU and the US. Can you elaborate on why this alliance is more critical than ever?
Dr. Thompson: Absolutely. The EU and the US have shared values and strategic interests, especially in times of geopolitical tensions. Prime Minister Frederiksen’s remarks highlight the necessity of collaboration when facing challenges posed by external actors like China and Russia. In a globalized world, aligning economic and political strategies is crucial for maintaining stability and influence.
Interviewer: Speaking of external challenges, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo pointed out the absurdity of taxing each other when facing a common competitor in China. How do you see this impacting trade relations between the EU and the US moving forward?
Dr. Thompson: De Croo’s comments underline the interdependence of the US and EU economies. Imposing tariffs on each other would be counterproductive, especially when we have a significant competitor like China that is capitalizing on these tensions. The EU and US should leverage their strengths collectively to negotiate better terms with China and avoid a trade war between allies, which could harm both economies.
Interviewer: Exactly. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has emphasized the need for good relations with the new US administration. With geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty, what do you think these good relations could entail?
Dr. Thompson: Strong relations could lead to collaborative initiatives on energy security, digital transformation, and sustainable growth. Von der Leyen’s call to increase imports of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a great example. It not only supports diversification away from Russian energy but could also strengthen transatlantic ties. The focus will likely need to be on creating a framework that promotes mutual benefits rather than competition.
Interviewer: You mentioned diversification from Russian energy, which is particularly significant given the ongoing war in Ukraine. How might this conflict continue to influence EU-US relations?
Dr. Thompson: The war has a profound impact on energy policies and security. Both the EU and the US share an interest in reducing reliance on Russian energy. The shift to American LNG represents a strategic maneuver to enhance energy independence for European nations. However, it can also draw the EU into deeper economic ties with the US, leading to a stronger transatlantic partnership focused on common security and economic goals.
Interviewer: It appears that both economic cooperation and addressing security threats are top priorities on the agenda. In your opinion, what should be the next steps for the EU and US leaders to ensure they capitalize on this moment of potential unity?
Dr. Thompson: Leaders need to prioritize open dialogues and goodwill gestures. They should focus on establishing joint ventures in green technology, energy transition, and digital regulation while also committing to resolving trade disputes amicably. Strengthening institutions that facilitate cooperation will be key, as will setting clear common goals that benefit both sides and reinforce their alliance in the face of global challenges.
Interviewer: You’ve provided some insightful points, Dr. Thompson. It will be interesting to see how these dynamics unfold in the coming months. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today!
Dr. Thompson: Thank you for having me! I look forward to seeing how these relationships evolve.