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US elections: What does the European Union hope for?

US elections: What does the European Union hope for?

Donald Trump's statements these years have brought a noticeable cooling to relations between the European Union and the US. Another four years with Donald Trump, can not imagine many politicians in the EU.

If Joe Biden wins the US presidential election, there is hope for transatlantic relations, says Janis Emmanoulidis. "No one is so naive as to hope that there will be a return to the time before Trump. But there is hope that things will improve," added the director of the European Policy Center. If the Democratic candidate fails to oust President Trump from the White House, expert Emmanoulidis expects transatlantic relations to deteriorate further. "It is likely that in the second term he will put more pressure on Europe than in the first. He has identified Europe as a greater evil than other actors in the world. He has said this publicly, although he has said a lot in the last four years. "

Collaboration, regardless of which

Even German MEP and foreign policy expert Reinhard Bütikofer of the Alliance90 / Greens does not support Donald Trump's geopolitics. "If Trump says the EU is opposed, it does not help to present Washington positively in the European debate." He believes, however, that there are many politicians in the US Congress, even Republicans, who know they need to work with Europe to confront China, Russia or others. A president, Joe Biden will not change everything, according to him, but he will certainly listen to traditional allies and seek commonalities. "Regardless of who wins in November, we need to invest in cooperation."

A study by the European Council on Foreign Relations in Brussels published this summer says Europeans have lost faith in their closest ally. Especially the chaotic management of the Corona pandemic by Trump has affected the atmosphere of the relationship. Scholars are of the opinion that a president Joe Biden will again approach the Europeans. They expect the US to return to the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization. A Biden government will strengthen NATO as an alliance, even though both Republicans and Democrats insist on increasing European countries' defense budgets. If Trump wins, former security adviser John Bolton has said NATO needs to be better prepared. He also predicted the US withdrawal from NATO, which could lead to its end.

Biden also has demands

French President Emmanuel Macron in response called NATO "clinically dead" and formulated demands for more "European sovereignty". Other EU leaders are also calling for a greater EU geostrategic role at a distance from the US under Donald Trump. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demands a return to the rule-based order. "The truth is that today more urgently than ever is required to reform the multilateral system. Our global system suffers signs of paralysis." Great powers withdraw from international institutions or "take them hostage to their own interests."

The hope in Brussels is that this can be achieved with a president, Joe Biden. EU expert Janis Emmanoulidis warns against illusions. Even more or less President Biden will not like Europe's more or less lenient attitude towards China. "It will be challenging if a new government under Biden cooperates on multilateral issues, such as climate protection, in international organizations, but in return will demand that Europe be tougher on China." Even under Biden, the US could demand that the EU support sanctions on technology concern Huawei unconditionally and respond to Chinese provocations in the South China Sea.

Topic - Trade unites the EU

Pas zgjedhjeve europianët duan të bisedojnë, pavarësisht me cilin president, për marrëdhëniet tregtare. Ende vërtitet në ajër kërcënimi i Trump për vendosjen e doganave të larta për automobilët dhe mallra të tjera nga Europa. Në korrik 2018 ai ra në një ujdi "armëpushimi" tregtar me presidentin e atëhershëm të KE, Jean-Claude Juncker, por konflikti nuk është zgjidhur përfundimisht. Atëkohë papritur Trump e lëvdoi BE si partnerin më të madh tregtar të SHBA.

Por në këtë fushatë zgjedhore, kjo temë nuk ka luajtur rol si tek Trump edhe tek Biden. Komisioneri i BE për tregtinë, Valdis Dombrovski shprehet në mënyrë diplomatike. "Në këto kohë duhet të tregojmë kujdes për miqësitë dhe të qëndrojmë pranë aleatëve që janë vërtet të rëndësishëm. Ka disa konflikte të vazhdueshme mes BE e SHBA. Sipas mendimit tim duhet që t'i zgjidhim shpejt këto."

Many EU heads of state would rather speak with a liberal Joe Biden and a less belligerent language. But ultimately the EU must unite to defend its interests vis-.-Vis the US, regardless of who enters the Oval Office. According to Emmanoulidis: "When it comes to cardinal issues, all EU states to date have appeared united, although some have tried to maintain a relationship with the Trump administration for advantages." / DW