PERSPECTIVES AND THE MAIN ISSUES OF U.S.-EU RELATIONS UNDER TRUMP PRESIDENCY

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1 PERSPECTIVES AND THE MAIN ISSUES OF U.S.-EU RELATIONS UNDER TRUMP PRESIDENCY Grisha Aghajanyan In 1990, the Transatlantic Declaration 1 formalized relations between the EU and the U.S. Five years later, the New Transatlantic Agenda 2 outlined a new framework for EU-U.S. relationship, including areas for joint action: promoting peace, stability, democracy, and development; responding to global challenges; contributing to the liberalization and expansion of world trade; and improving communication and ensuring a long-term commitment to partnership. The transatlantic bond that exists between the U.S. and the EU is considered by many to alienate under the presidency of Donald Trump, the new president of the United States. Regardless of Donald Trump s diverse campaign statements, it is hard to predict confidently what course his administration will take in a wide range of foreign policy areas. The main concerns important for the EU that are thought to be central to Trump s presidency are less commitment to NATO, rapprochement with Russia and BREXIT. NATO During the 2016 U.S. presidential election campaign in a presidential debate 3 and prior to that in an interview with the New York Times 4, now president Trump, having in mind NATO s EU members, stated that many of the 28 member countries of the alliance, most of which are wealthy nations, do not pay their fair share and that the U.S. pays approximately 73% of the cost of NATO, which is disproportionate. 1 Transatlantic Declaration on EC-US Relations, The New Transatlantic Agenda Donald Trump on NATO 1

2 Trump has expressed full support of NATO if all the members as mentioned, pay their fair shares. This issue has been discussed as with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as well as with German chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May. In a phone conversation 5 with Trump, Merkel and Trump have agreed that all member states must pay their fair shares. Jens Stoltenberg in an interview 6 with the EURONEWS, after Trump won the election, said that the latter was right to call on Europeans to spend more on defense. After meeting Trump in the White House 7 the British Prime Minister Theresa May briefed European leaders gathered for an EU summit at Malta. May told EU colleagues that Trump promised to back NATO, but he wants everyone to meet their financial commitments. 5 Trump, Merkel agree NATO members must pay fair share 6 Trump right on defense spending, says NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg 7 President Trump and Prime Minister May's Opening Remarks 2

RUSSIA Trump has praised 8 Vladimir Putin, the leader of Russia during the presidential campaign, after winning the election and after the inauguration as well, though his tone regarding the Russian

3 RUSSIA Trump has praised 8 Vladimir Putin, the leader of Russia during the presidential campaign, after winning the election and after the inauguration as well, though his tone regarding the Russian president changed slightly and his comments became somewhat contradictory 9 after him swearing in as president of the United States of America. 8 Trumppraises Putin s response to sanctions, calls Russian leader very smart! Donald Trump praised Vladimir Putin on the national stage again here's what it all means 9 Trump Meets Theresa May of Britain as He Weighs Lifting Russia Sanctions 3

Trump s views on Russia and especially Putin were not greeted with claps in Europe and the fear of lifting of imposed sanctions on Russia generated concerns especially for the Baltic States, which

4 Trump s views on Russia and especially Putin were not greeted with claps in Europe and the fear of lifting of imposed sanctions on Russia generated concerns especially for the Baltic States, which consider themselves as the next target, after the annexation of Crimea. European states consider that relations with Russia could be improved, given that the Minsk agreement is fully implemented and the Ukrainian crisis is solved. Although still unclear, Donald Trump s special bond with Vladimir Putin has placed Russia as a hurdle to be overcome in the EU-U.S. relations. BREXIT There has always been a very special relationship between the U.S. and United Kingdom of Great Britain. When Trump (born to a Scottish mother) sworn in as president, within hours of moving into the White House, Donald Trump honored his promise to return 10 the bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office, as nod to the special relationship.the Jacob Epstein sculpture was given to President George W Bush by Tony Blair. It was displayed in the Oval Office but was removed by PresidentBarack Obama and replaced by a bust of Martin Luther King in The first foreign leader that president Trump met was the Prime Minister of United Kingdom Theresa May. 10 Churchill bust in Oval Office again as Donald Trump settles in. 4

5 Signs that indicate that ties between the U.S. and the U.K. are of strategic importance. In an interview with The Times of London 11 before the inaugurationtrump has described Britain s move to step out of the EU as smart and believes that the Union is dominated by Germany, which is on the brink of collapse. Trump promised to draw up a trade deal with the UK, quickly after Britain finally draws out of the EU. The trade deal was discussed during the meeting Trump-May meeting in the White House. Trump stressed his affection for the UK and said other states could follow its lead and leave the EU. Trump precisely said. I believe others will leave. I do think keeping it together is not gonna be as easy as a lot of people think Conclusion The equal financing of NATO by its member states, that was one of the problematic issues in EU-U.S. relations seems to be overcome. Major European countries Germany, Britain, France have by large agreed to pay equal and fair share. This issue hasbeen a topic of discussion 11 Full transcript of interview with Donald Trump 5

6 during the recent phone call 12 between U.S. president Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. As mentioned, Stoltenberg has said in an interview that Trump has the right to call on the European states to pay their fair share. The equal financing of NATO, in my opinion can be a considered a problem of the past, as European states taking into account the importance of NATO for their security have gone to concessions which are justified. The Russian factor in the bilateral relations is still a pain in the neck, as majority of European states feel discomforts because of Trump s eagerness to improve ties with Russia, even though Trump himself has been contradictory on relations with Russia. The new U.S. president although has expressed willingness to improve relations with Russia, but for example in the meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May, talking about Russia Trump said that he does not know the gentleman yet, referring to Vladimir Putin and that it is still early to talk about lifting sanctions imposed on Russia. BREXIT, in my observe is the most serious out of the discussed issues that can substantially deteriorate relations. Britain s stepping out of the EU is a severe blow to the EU that can have a domino effect. Donald Trump s claims regarding BREXIT have made the EU officials worry that Trump wants the dissolution of the EU. The special relationship that exists between the U.K. and U.S. has not been welcomed by some EU states. The Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite even said 13 that she thinks there is no necessity for the British Prime Minister to be a bridge to the U.S. Wrapping up it can be concluded that financing NATO is no longer an issue, the Russian factor is leverage in the hands of Trump against the EU, but supporting BREXIT and the argued commitment of the dissolution of the EU is a part of Donald Trump s America First policy. Although the main issues in EU-U.S. relations are clear and some even solved, under Trump presidency the perspectives of bilateral relations are still unclear, taking into account his personality and attitude towards shaping foreign policy. 12 Readout of phone call between the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US President Donald J. Trump

7 BREXIT, taking into consideration the discussed factors will be a key factor in shaping a Trump administration foreign policy towards the European Union. 7

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