Alexander Hurst: The EU is a colossus. So why is it cowering before Trump like a mouse?
With its woeful trade deal, Europe prostrated itself before the president. We need a leader who will tell him where to shove it, says Guardian Europe columnist Alexander Hurst
I don't see them cowering, Denmark royalty has even visited Greenland in the face of US Aggression, signifying that they're willing to fight for it. There's just no reason to retaliate to the USA shooting itself in the foot over tariffs. What, do EU citizens WANT to pay an additional tax for no reason?
Signing up to buy American weapons and fossils isn't exact what I'd describe as "good long term strategy". I'd rather suffer medium to strong economic pain now than have Europe be dependent on the US for the rest of my life. EU citizens are very willing to suffer the economic pain if it means we get to be independent from the US, public opinion has been shifting in that direction for a while even before Trump's first term, has accelerated with his first term and exploded after his tariff theatrics started.
Nobody wants the EU to retaliate over the tariffs but neither do people want the EU bending the knee and kissing his ring, there is an option where we have a tariff deal without mandatory investments into the US. Paying what boils down to tribute isn't exactly what the people think an independent EU should look like.
I'm trying to think of economic ties that could potentially bind EU countries to the US. We sure as hell don't make anything over here that I can imagine you need. Norway has that fresh new oil industry but they're unionized and I don't think can pump the volume that the US auto industry sucks up.
is it just that we have military presence everywhere in Europe? It feels like most places don't even need American intervention anymore for anything. UN could probably hold all of its treaties without the US as well at this point, even without our funding and crap. you'd just have to make up the difference in defense funding for places like Isreal but there's actually a really neat solution to that
We have understood that escalation always results in more escalation. Nobody is cowering, but real might means being about to strike and not needing to.
Europe can't handle russia on its own
Delulu vibes here
Appeasing Trump is a gamble alright, let's see how it plays out
Might only take until mid-term elections next year to have dems in power again. That could change things somewhat.
#doubt - but we'll see ✌️
It's because they're liberals. Liberal politicians always surrender to fascists, no matter what they say. It's necessary in order to keep capitalism going.
They're not liberals. Have a close look at its current makeup.
Sorry. I got tunnel visioned by the fascist vs libéral vs leftist trichotomy for a while.
