– Europe’s future is in our hands. We must act now, von der Leyen asserted as around 50 European heads of state and government gathered for the summit of the European Political Community (EPF) in Budapest on Thursday.
Donald Trump’s sudden victory in the United States, a possible government crisis in Germany and the ongoing war in Ukraine form the backdrop for the summit, where the plan is to stake out a common path for the future.
On Friday, the EU countries will hold an informal summit at the same location.
– Find something to build on
Von der Leyen is trying to stave off the unrest about what might happen when Trump again sits in the driver’s seat in the United States.
Because the questions are many: How should one respond to possible customs walls from the USA? What will happen to Ukraine – and will the whole bill fall on Europe? And how can one manage to keep up the pace in cutting climate emissions?
– I have a lot of experience working with Trump, and there is a lot to build on, says von der Leyen.
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The “talker” will be Trump
Competitiveness, migration and economic security are on the agenda. But the talking point is Trump and what he can come up with.
– It will be a topic that is not on the agenda, but that everyone is concerned about, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap), who is also present in Budapest, to NTB ahead of the summit.
Among other things, Trump has announced a punitive tariff for the EU and other countries of ten to 20 percent because he believes the US is being “unfairly” treated. It could be the start of a trade war.
Ukraine
Trump has also criticized incumbent President Joe Biden for US support for Ukraine, which has raised fears that he will cut aid and force Ukraine to surrender.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson already states that Europe must take greater responsibility for Ukraine.
– In the long run, it is not realistic that the United States and American taxpayers should be the leading military contributor to Ukraine. That task will largely rest on Europe, and we can manage that, says Kristersson, according to the TT news agency.
Ihuga Trump fan
On the climate side, many fear that Trump will once again withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. It puts the world in a much worse position in the fight against climate change, writes Energy and climate.
Last, but not least, he has cast doubt on whether the US will uphold its NATO commitments.
The summit’s host, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is a staunch Trump fan. In Brussels, there have been unconfirmed rumors that Orban has invited Trump to participate digitally in the meeting.
German crisis
The German government crisis is also causing unrest among the EU countries.
Prime Minister Olaf Scholz confirmed on Wednesday that he has fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner, which has led to Lindner’s party FDP leaving the government.
According to Scholz, he will ask cabinet questions on 15 January and has proposed holding new elections in March.
The opposition, for its part, demands cabinet questions as early as next week.
Kristersson points out that Germany, together with France, as well as Italy, are very important for European cooperation.
– I hope they find a permanent solution as quickly as possible, he says.
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