The European Union fears a direct clash with Donald Trump. This fact has been pointed out by diplomats from European capitals to the Financial Times.
It is learned that EU capitals are urging Brussels to refrain from any possible retaliation against Donald Trump's tariffs until the NATO summit in June, arguing that an agreement with the US president on Europe's medium-term security should be the priority.
Diplomats and officials told the Financial Times that governments were calling for a pause in any major decisions involving the US, including major defence investments, until the outcome of next month's NATO summit in The Hague is clear, writes A2 CNN. Alongside intensive talks between top European leaders and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about how to appease Trump at the June 24-25 summit, capitals are also calling on the European Commission to avoid antagonising the White House in the run-up.
Officials said this included avoiding inflammatory public discussions about trade retaliation in response to Trump's tariffs, postponing defense procurement decisions that involved a direct choice between European and American options, and avoiding criticism of the U.S. approach to Ukraine and its rhetoric regarding the annexation of Greenland.
“There is a lot of nervousness ahead of The Hague and the general thought is to do everything we can to get [Trump] there, tell him what he wants to hear and get him out again without any catastrophe,” said a senior EU official involved in the discussions.
US officials have told their NATO allies that, while Trump plans to attend the summit, he may decide to cancel it if there is no pre-agreement among the other 31 NATO members to spend more and take more responsibility to defend Europe. (A2 Televizion)
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