Ursula von der Leyen gave Trump $1.35 trillion in trade and energy concessions to avoid a tariff war. Now he wants more, and threatens 35% tariffs if we don’t pay up.
And this kind of humiliation could be a big free talking point for all the exiters. I feel like fighting back is the only survivable tactic at this point.
Firstly, let me say that I really do appreciate your column. This time I find myself not persuaded that Ursula Von Der Leyen did not know exactly what she was signing with Trump. One needs to look at the practicalities of the tarrifs and offered investment as against how Trump was always going to try selling it to the world and the time available for implementation. It was never going to come to much. He sees Vat as a tarrif and his expectations are nonsense. There are certain things the EU still needs from the USA in the short term but not in the long term. The EU will come out of this on top of they quietly get on with proceedings without getting into a verbal tiff with Trump.
I feel sorry for those Europeans that are mad at the US/Trump, it distracts from Europe's own failures that were created by institutional paralysis. This accumulated shortsightedness makes even Brexit appear comparatively decisive. Until Europe confronts these internal flaws over bureaucratic inertia a risk managed decline is set in stone as you stated. Even if Europe were to rid itself of the current administration I can't see a more decisive administration taking its place, VDL is a symptom of what Europe is I sincerely hope this was not her end goal and there is some 4D chess going on.
And this kind of humiliation could be a big free talking point for all the exiters. I feel like fighting back is the only survivable tactic at this point.
One more reason to in principle vote against VDL and her presidency
Firstly, let me say that I really do appreciate your column. This time I find myself not persuaded that Ursula Von Der Leyen did not know exactly what she was signing with Trump. One needs to look at the practicalities of the tarrifs and offered investment as against how Trump was always going to try selling it to the world and the time available for implementation. It was never going to come to much. He sees Vat as a tarrif and his expectations are nonsense. There are certain things the EU still needs from the USA in the short term but not in the long term. The EU will come out of this on top of they quietly get on with proceedings without getting into a verbal tiff with Trump.
Hope you are right.
I feel sorry for those Europeans that are mad at the US/Trump, it distracts from Europe's own failures that were created by institutional paralysis. This accumulated shortsightedness makes even Brexit appear comparatively decisive. Until Europe confronts these internal flaws over bureaucratic inertia a risk managed decline is set in stone as you stated. Even if Europe were to rid itself of the current administration I can't see a more decisive administration taking its place, VDL is a symptom of what Europe is I sincerely hope this was not her end goal and there is some 4D chess going on.