Brussels’ zero-for-zero tariff offer not enough, U.S. president says, but indicates he’s open to a deal if the bloc commits to closing the trade deficit in goods.
Surely there is zero political support for this in Europe. Of course we’re hurting badly from the tariffs, but at least in my circle I don’t see anyone supporting bending over to any demand he sends us.
Almost as soon as Trump was reelected, von der Leyen suggested opening negotiations to buy more American liquefied natural gas (LNG). But POLITICO reported that the U.S. had, in response, offered no clarity about how a deal would work.
Don’t quite follow this though, does the EU need more fossil fuels? Aren’t we moving away from it? Is this aimed at replacing russian natural gas?
I mean we do still import Russian oil and gas that could be replaced this way. Still, this is not about what the EU needs, it’s a proactive offering of protection money. They forgot that Trump needs it to have been his pressure that made us bend the knee, not our own initiative, otherwise he won’t look strong.
We are? I was under the impression that this had stopped, and that we now only do so indirectly in ways that are difficult to track (e.g. India importing raw materials from Russia, refining and shipping it to Europe).
Fully agree with your analysis that most of this is about Trumps ego and an attempt at asserting power.
Surely there is zero political support for this in Europe. Of course we’re hurting badly from the tariffs, but at least in my circle I don’t see anyone supporting bending over to any demand he sends us.
Don’t quite follow this though, does the EU need more fossil fuels? Aren’t we moving away from it? Is this aimed at replacing russian natural gas?
I mean we do still import Russian oil and gas that could be replaced this way. Still, this is not about what the EU needs, it’s a proactive offering of protection money. They forgot that Trump needs it to have been his pressure that made us bend the knee, not our own initiative, otherwise he won’t look strong.
We are? I was under the impression that this had stopped, and that we now only do so indirectly in ways that are difficult to track (e.g. India importing raw materials from Russia, refining and shipping it to Europe).
Fully agree with your analysis that most of this is about Trumps ego and an attempt at asserting power.
Nope.