“Redition”, “extortion”, “defeat”: the almost unanimous French political class, continued on Monday to denounce the commercial agreement announced on Sunday between the European Union and the United States, François Bayrou we regret “a dark day” for Europe that “resolves the presentation.”
At European level, the press is not more tender. The editorialists of the former continent punish a Europe “less effective than Japan and the United Kingdom”, we talk about “capitulation”, an “unequal agreement”, a “cold shower”, of a “law of the strongest winning.”
In fact, the EU will be imposed at a single rate of 15% for most of its products that will enter the US territory (compared to 10% today), undertakes to buy for $ 250 billion per year of American energy products (today’s triple) and must invest about $ 600 billion in the United States, including hundreds of weapons of one billion.
In return, the United States is committed … to nothing. Or not apply the 30% rate that threatened Europe on August 1.
“It always trusts European weakness”
Thus he quotes the example of armament.
“A few months ago, Europe advocated unanimously for a more military expense with European players in the sector, he remembers. Finally, without surprise, it will be the US companies that will benefit from him after Sunday’s agreement. We must always trust the weakness of Europeans and that is what Donald Trump understood.”
The contrast is very strong with the intentions published last week even by European negotiators.
“If they want the war, they will have it,” a German official was only a week ago at the Wall Street Journal.
“We continue to arrive, but we will not do everything we are asked,” said German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, during a press conference with Iric Lombard near Berlin.
The Franco-German axis even seemed to be a time that was vigor. The two allies pressed to launch a countermeasted plan to aim at 93 billion euros in American products. France militated by Activate the “anti-coercion instrument” Going further and Germany seemed to join this position goes to war.
In the end it was nothing. In addition, the $ 93 billion in response determined last week by Brussels is no longer mentioned.
Guilt, according to BloombergFriedrich Merz and Emmanuel Macron who would have been afraid to go too far:
“Ambassadors [qui négociaient les accords] It has been warned that to conduct effectively, the block should be ready to remain united and to take the consequences. They either. In public, the main governments have shown their muscles and teeth, but behind the scene, they were looking for ways to appease the United States throughout the negotiation process. “
The multiplication of national interests
Once again, the EU weakened for the defense of national interests. Berlin wanted to protect his automotive industry and rejected a price reduction in exchange for investments throughout the Atlantic (not to lose jobs). France wanted to protect his wine and champagne and, therefore, refused to sanction US spirits for fear of retaliation measures.
Before Sunday’s meeting, Paris would have remembered the commission not to limit access to agricultural products and obtain a favorable agreement for the wine sector.
The divisions have even emerged within the European Commission, according to the Financial Times. With one side, a team dedicated to the negotiations led by Sabine Weyand, an expert in Brexit negotiations who was inflexible and ready for battle and, on the other hand, an Ursula von der Leyen more conciliatory and less expert in firm positions and threats of reprisal.
German and French leaders make a low profile in any case.
On the Elysée side, it is even the silence of the radio. If François Bayrou spoke of “submission,” Emmanuel Macron has not yet commented, 24 hours after the announcement.
Therefore, the victory of the US president seems to be admitted by all.
Source: BFM TV
