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[trembli0s]

I'm not talking about multinationals doing business at both sides of the ocean* nor individuals. I'm talking about diplomacy and governance. The potential American envoy to the EU is openly hostile towards the EU and wishes to break it down. This is a fact. An unprecedented one. The WH's chief strategist also has the same aims.

America and the EU won't become warring actors, but they won't remain in friendly terms. Barring some surprising events, there's going to be mutual distrust from now on. At best, our relationship is going to go from close and friendly to neutral and seeded with wariness.


*this may also change depending on economic policies.

Doesn't a US retrenchment implicitly weaken the hold of EU institutions though in the long run?

Right now, the US essentially subsidizes European defense costs against other international actors like Russia and arguably China if they continue to saber rattle and begin to exert economic pressure against the EU.

The new paradigm of realpolitik is going to require Europe to step up its acquisition of military hard power in order to be taken seriously. Those funds are going to have be shifted either from national budgets to an EU army--which poses its own set of difficult questions to EU members-- or from social program budgets which IMO will exacerbate the populist question in Europe.

 

[Tom Nook]

I can't help but just laugh and/or SMH at every Trump headline.

 

[mnz]

This is the best bit and can't be stressed enough

“The disintegration of the European Union will not lead to the restoration of some mythical, full sovereignty of its member states, but to their real and factual dependence on the great superpowers: the United States, Russia and China.”

 

[DarthMasta]

The new paradigm of realpolitik is going to require Europe to step up its acquisition of military hard power in order to be taken seriously. Those funds are going to have be shifted either from national budgets to an EU army--which poses its own set of difficult questions to EU members-- or from social program budgets which IMO will exacerbate the populist question in Europe.

I doubt this will happen, or better, I hope it doesn't, but one can always use US style "jobs programs" to deal with this. By this I mean, investment in military capabilities, development of new military tech, military service as an alternative to unemployment...

 

[RinsFury]

I can't help but just laugh and/or SMH at every Trump headline.

I have the opposite reaction, each new thread is like a punch to the gut. This piece of shit poses the greatest threat to the world we've seen in our lifetime.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

I'm not talking about multinationals doing business at both sides of the ocean* nor individuals. I'm talking about diplomacy and governance. The potential American envoy to the EU is openly hostile towards the EU and wishes to break it down. This is a fact. An unprecedented one. The WH's chief strategist also has the same aims.

America and the EU won't become warring actors, but they won't remain in friendly terms. Barring some surprising events, there's going to be mutual distrust from now on. At best, our relationship is going to go from close and friendly to neutral and seeded with wariness.


*this may also change depending on economic policies.

Ah fair enough. I took "the transatlantic friendship" to be more all-encompassing than you intended. Can't really disagree with anything you've written there.

Alone in the dark (well, with UK and Russia while it lasts).

They wiped out Alaska!!

 

[mnz]

They wiped out Alaska!!

Gift to Putin.

 

[mike6467]

Firaxis doing their part....

 

[PdotMichael]

US right now

They also wear the same outfit now.

 

[TumblingHippo]

So USA, UK, and Russia are the new Axis of Evil, huh?

 

[Nerazar]

So USA, UK, and Russia are the new Axis of Evil, huh?

And EU - China the forces of good? I am confused...

 

[Lego Boss]

Tusk? Isn't that something elephants have and is sold for maximum profit in capitalist economies? Stop crying at you losing your ivory decorations!

Fake news! Sad!

 

[Inuhanyou]

I just hope half of you Americans wake the fuck up in 4 years... and hope that it's not too late by then.

Half of America are not responsible for Trump. Only about 1/6th.

 

[Gutek]

Half of America are not responsible for Trump. Only about 1/6th.

Everybody that did not vote against Trump is responsible. Every single person.

 

[sechsterangriff]

Half of America are not responsible for Trump. Only about 1/6th.

Doing nothing is also a choice.

 

[mnz]

Half of America are not responsible for Trump. Only about 1/6th.

Nah, you don't get off the hook so easily!

 

[Zips]

The EU council president is very correct. Trump for his part has already been poking at the Brexit sorespot and through his diplomats spreading doubts about the EU's continued survival.

People claiming that Trump was elected by only about a quarter of the total U.S. population ignore that if you had forced everyone to vote, a large chunk of those who hadn't would have still voted for Trump. Overall he likely would have lost, but the margins were close enough that a significant portion of those non-voters would have supported him as well.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

Congratulation US, you guys are now the enemies of the free world.

If this administration gets its way, yes, we definitely will be.  A very depressing reality because it never needed to be this way.

 

[TotalHorlicks]

It's all a load of bollox, they are just looking for reasons to build an E.U army.

 

[Gnome Scat]

Are we the baddies?

 

[mnz]

It's all a load of bollox, they are just looking for reasons to build an E.U army.

What is? Have you listened to Trump?

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

"Council President of the failing EU is totally wrong. Nobody loves Europe more than me! Believe me! Sad!"

If this is the exact tweet word for word I'm buying you a King Cake

 

[iRAWRasaurus]

Congratulation US, you guys are now the enemies of the free world.

Edit: damnit beaten.

 

[tuxfool]

It's all a load of bollox, they are just looking for reasons to build an E.U army.

Uhuh. Sure thing.

 

[EMT0]

I'm surprised the Chinese actually made the list; I figured the EU and China would find themselves on a similar political axis atm in being vehemently anti-Trump.

 

[johancruijff]

It's all a load of bollox, they are just looking for reasons to build an E.U army.

You make it sound like it's a bad thing

 

[tuxfool]

I'm surprised the Chinese actually made the list; I figured the EU and China would find themselves on a similar political axis atm in being vehemently anti-Trump.

This isn't about being anti-trump, but instead about being true to their values. Necessity could demand it, but one shouldn't ignore the fact that China is no bastion of liberty.

 

[Any Questions]

Alone in the dark (well, with UK and Russia while it lasts).

Wow. That's a pretty good image. Go it alone world

 

[Harmen]

I can only hope that my fellow EU citizens look at the US (and UK) and vote wisely.

 

[Nerazar]

I'm surprised the Chinese actually made the list; I figured the EU and China would find themselves on a similar political axis atm in being vehemently anti-Trump.

Nope, every superpower would love to see the EU destroyed. It's way easier to trade with uncoordinated countries separately than with every country united. The deals tend to get a lot better if you bargain collectively.

 

[Royal_Phalanx]

As an EU citizen don't fuck it up Euro-bros.

I don't look forward to the day when I can't call myself an EU citizen.

 

[Nokterian]

Surprising they only see it NOW..fuck me i saw this coming the moment he announced his candidacy, fuck he was all ready terrible to begin with.

 

[Lucumo]

I really hope there'll be a big wonder and he'll become the new kanzler.

Is he any good that people in this thread want him elected?

Also, time for the EU to create some proper, non-bs, trade deals.

 

[Geeker]

Europe assemble !

 

[Nerazar]

It's all a load of bollox, they are just looking for reasons to build an E.U army.

I sure hope so, because we need one badly. If Trump gets his way, NATO will be gone, too and then we had no defense.

 

[Neo C.]

Half of America are not responsible for Trump. Only about 1/6th.

You can't easily get off your responsibility in a democracy. But luckily, when Trump turns the US into a dictatorship, you won't be politically responsible anymore.

 

[Lowmelody]

Good, they need to federalize and build an army and unweave themselves from our web.

 

[Aaronrules380]

Doing nothing is also a choice.

I mean, even then he lost the popular vote

 

[guek]

Dude ain't wrong

 

[BobTheFork]

Trump is a threat to everything, including outer space, Atlantis and Brigadoon

 

[Shoeless]

So USA, UK, and Russia are the new Axis of Evil, huh?

Freedom. Axis of FREEDOM.

 

[Ac30]

Nope, every superpower would love to see the EU destroyed. It's way easier to trade with uncoordinated countries separately than with every country united. The deals tend to get a lot better if you bargain collectively.

Yep, as the U.K. will soon find out. Can't believe May went along with this idiocy.

 

[Toxi]

Uhuh. Sure thing.

Like clockwork

 

[DontBeThatGuy]

He poses a threat to all that is good.

 

[zethren]

Everybody that did not vote against Trump is responsible. Every single person.

Agreed. I have more frustration for those who chose not to vote, to be honest. Fuck your apathy.

 

[gutter_trash]

I'm surprised the Chinese actually made the list; I figured the EU and China would find themselves on a similar political axis atm in being vehemently anti-Trump.

China has been very aggressive at taking advantage of the 2008 crash, swooping in like vultures buying lots of state owned corporations, electricity plants, factories, real estate.

China doesn't care about anything but money. They are profiting on the global economic downturn buying everything all over the world

 

[rjinaz]

It's all a load of bollox, they are just looking for reasons to build an E.U army.

Uh huh. It's America first. Let's not pretend that Trump isn't taking Nationalistic stances that are alienating our allies.

 

[zethren]

It's all a load of bollox, they are just looking for reasons to build an E.U army.

Well seeing as how our President is Russia's bitch, I don't blame them.

 

[Shoeless]

Agreed. I have more frustration for those who chose not to vote, to be honest. Fuck your apathy.

I tend to agree with this. People who voted are at least exercising a privilege that some other far less fortunate countries lack. To decide you can't be bothered to even decide who you want to lead your country, and then act horrified and betrayed later when it ends up being someone you don't want, when you and millions of other people could have prevented it is black comedy.

 

[daveo42]

Alone in the dark (well, with UK and Russia while it lasts).

Can I get off this island?