Fears that EU talks on increasing the bloc’s mutual defense clause could lead to Donald Trump scaling back Washington’s commitment to NATO’s Article 5 are overblown, the US ambassador to the EU under Barack Obama, Anthony Gardner, said. Euractiv in an interview.
“Talks about a common European defense are too early,” Gardner said, just days after US President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw troops from Germany. “Europe must move before it works – joint procurement, better spending.”
Gardner, who is now an adviser to a global investment firm, does not share capital’s fear of upsetting Trump by talking about mutual protection in the EU, which is covered by Article 42.7. “I can’t believe that argument is being used. I don’t think Donald Trump cares,” he said.
As before reported BY Euractivthe EU’s diplomatic arm has drawn up a handbook explaining what kind of resources are available if clause 42.7 is triggered. The best way for the EU to deal with Trump is to stay on the ground, Gardner said, adding that “a lot of rhetoric in Brussels … runs ahead of reality.”
“In Washington, there is considerable disdain for the EU’s threats – they are simply not taken seriously. Take the repeated threats of I sell bazookas – Well, that accomplished absolutely nothing.”
“Europe needs to focus on what can be done in the short term to improve its economic vitality. This is a moment to make the euro a real competitor to the dollar as there are growing concerns about the sustainability of US fiscal policy. The window is open now, but it will not stay open indefinitely.”
According to Gardner, the EU itself remains its main obstacle to speaking frankly with US power and strengthening European economies. “We’ve been talking about a capital markets merger for how long now? About 15 years – and not much has been done.”
He warned that EU leaders may fail to maintain the sense of urgency created by the Trump presidency.
“After 2028, we will hopefully return to more sensible policies. And once and if that happens, … the sense of crisis will diminish,” Gardner said. “Decisions are only made in Europe under a sense of threat.”
(jp, in)
