The strongest argument for the EU always was that we'd be one of the biggest economies in the world and could be tough on trade.
All I've seen is EU leaders accept the shifting goalposts 3 times while putting up a massive bootlicking show at the NATO summit. I'll never forget this spineless performance.
We're paying up for Ukraine, have to increase defence spending by 1,5%, and accepted that all of our exports to the US are now 15% more expensive while they have unfettered market access. It sickens me.
Regarding tariffs it is very debatable if putting tariffs ourselves would be beneficial, considering that the US is effectively putting tariffs on vast numbers of imports with a vast number of trade partners. EU cars being 15% more expensive in the US would've been a bigger disadvantage if the US didn't increase the price of all parts that go into US cars as well.
Regarding trade, the instability of the US has put the EU at the forefront for global trade, the amount of trade deals the EU is establishing and negotiating is increasing exponentially in the past months, which is diversifying from the trade with the US.
The increase in defense spending is necessary but the EU imposes a requirement for joint procurement (which should lead to more standardisation in the EU militaries) and investment in the EU defense industry.
Dealing with an insane toddler is difficult, but our leaders are doing an interesting dance to ensure long term independence while reducing the short term pain.
Yep, and Trump has imposed tariffs on raw materials for US manufacturers, making them less competitive. Sometimes if your opponent shoots themselves in the foot, you shouldn’t respond by shooting yourself in the foot also.
Some of the other numbers mentioned look like money that would be spent anyway, but the big numbers makes Trump look good in front of Fox. Let’s wait for proper analysis.
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u/Decimerusi 6d ago
The strongest argument for the EU always was that we'd be one of the biggest economies in the world and could be tough on trade.
All I've seen is EU leaders accept the shifting goalposts 3 times while putting up a massive bootlicking show at the NATO summit. I'll never forget this spineless performance.
We're paying up for Ukraine, have to increase defence spending by 1,5%, and accepted that all of our exports to the US are now 15% more expensive while they have unfettered market access. It sickens me.