For a long time the European Union has been demonstrating its passivity, but the situation may change in conditions when a vacuum has been created on the international arena due to the US policy.
This was reported by “The Guardian” on Monday, July 13.
“If Trump’s activity is not enough on the world stage, the EU should occupy this vacuum. Germany, which has just taken over the presidency of the bloc, may use the next six months to provide leadership to strengthen Europe’s global influence”, – the article says.
The publication stresses that Europe should take advantage of the U.S. retreat and “capture the mantle of world leadership. Berlin has everything it needs to do this: Angela Merkel’s government holds the EU presidency, while at the same time being an interim member of the UN Security Council until December 31. Nevertheless, the article notes, the German program of the EU presidency modestly speaks about the need to assume “considerable responsibility”, presenting too long a list of “key priorities”.
“This is a recipe for failure,” writes The Guardian. – For example, the EU cannot establish peace in the Middle East no matter how hard it tries. The U.S. has torpedoed EU attempts to conclude a nuclear deal with Iran, and internal disagreements have complicated EU-Russia relations. Merkel must be selective in deciding when, where and how the EU will operate, both at home and abroad.
Above all, however, Berlin and Brussels must “get rid of excessive American influence. The EU debate on the principle of “strategic autonomy” is a step in the right direction. Thus, the concept originally related to security and defence now extends to trade, investment, reorientation of supply chains.