by Sarantis Michalopoulos
The European Union should remain united and speak with one voice because the US understands the language of power, Roberta Metsola said in an interview with the Greek portal ToVima.
In Brussels, a debate has started about which leader could take on the role of “interlocutor” with the Trump administration, given the problems that arose during his first term.
Trump’s “friends” on the Old Continent, notably Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni – both members of the so-called European “hard” right – are seeking such a role.
“I do not think that any leader alone - whoever it is - can be an as effective interlocutor as the EU. Our strength lies in speaking with one voice, not twenty-seven individual ones. And I think that the language of power is one that the US speaks and understands quite well”, Metsola said.
The EU Parliament chief said Europe should not be “naive” about Donald Trump’s administration defending US interests.
“Frankly, this is not something new in American history […] We were elected by Europeans, and we should, therefore, equally stand up for European families, industry and products. I would like to see more European self-confidence”.
She insisted that our dedication to strengthening the transatlantic relationship must remain unwavering and that she will focus on “what unites us”.
“The European Union and the United States cooperate in areas far beyond politics. Shared history, common values like freedom, democracy, human rights, as well as open societies and markets form the foundation of our alliance”, she noted.
“In my exchanges with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, I will therefore continue to seek alignment with the US when it comes to providing common solutions to common global challenges such as the need to support Ukraine”, she said.
“Now is the time to push a stronger Trans-Atlantic bond on defence, trade, and global affairs - rather than spend our focus lecturing or, worse, moralising on the areas where we may have different outlooks. After all, with bilateral trade reaching historic highs, it is clear that both partners are of great importance to one another”, she added.
*first published in: Euractiv.com
By: N. Peter Kramer
