US President Joe Biden (right) meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (left) at the White House. Both want to get as much done as possible before important elections.
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BRUSSELS — It’s still more than a year before US voters go to the polls, but in the heart of the European Union, officials are racing to get as much done as possible ahead of any leadership change. potential in the White House.
“There is unprecedented close cooperation and coordination between the EU and the current US administration. It goes from the official level to the top,” said an EU official, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature. of the situation, told CNBC.
“The EU is aware that this [cooperation] not a certain way and such an approach may change when someone like [former President Donald] Trump in the White House again. And the EU tries to take advantage of this momentum to move forward [a] number of files, topics with similar interests,” the official added.
The EU, a group of 27 countries, went public happy with the election of Joe Biden at the end of 2020 after four challenging years under Trump’s presidency, during which transatlantic relations were at their lowest. The two sides have different views on trade, defense and technology – just to name a few points of tension.
But relations had improved dramatically by the time Biden arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. His style and policy priorities are much more in line with Brussels, including how to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and climate change. This became ever more apparent with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with European leaders welcoming financial and military support from the world’s largest economy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in March: “The United States and the European Union have taken a united and strong stance against Russia’s illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war against Ukraine. “. beside Biden in Washington D.C
“Putin thinks he will divide us, but we are more united than ever. We stand together in unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes,” she added.
But it is possible that the current agreement and working practices will come to an end if there is a new president in the White House.
“It’s going to be a tough relationship,” Kevin Klowden, chief global strategist at the Milken Institute, told CNBC by phone in a scenario where a Republican candidate takes over for president.
“Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support [for Ukraine]”, he said, adding that this is both military and financial aid.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.
The Transatlantic Partnership remains essential to the EU.
Speaking to CNN earlier this month, Trump did not respond to a question whether he wanted Russia or Ukraine to win the war and did not pledge to support Kyiv if he wins the presidency again. However, he claimed the conflict would end within 24 hours if he returned to power.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to launch his 2024 presidential campaign later this month, said he believes the United States should not get more involved in the Ukraine war.
“The transatlantic partnership remains essential for the EU,” one European diplomat told CNBC, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation.
However, the same source said the relationship could be slightly different in the future as Europe seems to become less dependent on other parts of the world – including China and the US.
“The EU is developing its own path towards strategic autonomy, which does not mean that we are turning our backs on our allies. On the contrary, it means that we must have plenty of it. more capacity to be able to make their own choices,” he said. This will continue regardless of who is in charge of the White House, the diplomat said.
There is a perception in Europe that whoever is the next president of the United States will naturally have America’s interests in mind, which is often inconsistent with what Europe wants. The proof of that is when the Biden administration, despite the close relationship, introduced unprecedented green subsidies that threatened the European economy. The US Inflation Reduction Act, often shortened to an IRA, left Europe blindfolded and seek concessions.
Meanwhile, EU-wide elections will take place in June 2024 and officials in Brussels openly say they have until the end of the year to complete policy actions. Officials believe they won’t be able to pass the new law from January onwards as lawmakers focus on their election campaign.
