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.
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.
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.