Anti-Trump statements explained by the lack of consideration for the European Union, which has not attribution in foreign affairs matters
by Emanuele Bonini
What is there behind the "Juncker case"? Stress, mental sickness of any kind, rudeness? Frustration. The right explanation is frustration. The European Union has no foreign policy relevance, because it is foreseen it has not to have. Let's rewind the tape and start from the beginning. Commenting Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections, the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said that with the next occupant of the White House «we'll waste time for two years while Mr. Trump tours a world that he is completely unaware of». There is a motivation for such a statement. Immediately after Juncker sent a letter to the president elected to congratulate with him and to invite him to Brussels. As fas as everybody knows that letter never got an answer. Considering the European Commission is constantly under the attack of the EU Member States, it appears clear the sense of frustration of the Commission's chief. Juncker and the body he is responsible for, got little consideration at home and none abroad.
Having said that, there is the possibility Mr. Trump knows really well the world. The impression is he's aware that in foreign policy the EU never existed. By treaties the foreign affairs are competence of the Member States. When it comes to set strategies and take decisions, national governments are the true plenipotentiary players. Showing a pragmatic approach and a clear sense of realpolitik, it is undeniable that the fist thing to do is to deal with single European leaders. The EU is not a priority because it simply can't be. Who does Federica Mogherini represent? The EU has an external action, but not a foreign affairs office. It is true that the EU is in charge of negotiating trade agreements, but Trump seems not to have the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in the list of his priorities. Juncker is the president of a body with limited powers. Until the European Union will have not attributions in foreign affairs policies, it can't surprise if leaders from the rest of the world will decide to bypass the EU. It is not a question of dividing Europe, it is just a question of the nature of the EU. And then, let's be honest: Europe has never been unite in foreign affairs.
What is there behind the "Juncker case"? Stress, mental sickness of any kind, rudeness? Frustration. The right explanation is frustration. The European Union has no foreign policy relevance, because it is foreseen it has not to have. Let's rewind the tape and start from the beginning. Commenting Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections, the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said that with the next occupant of the White House «we'll waste time for two years while Mr. Trump tours a world that he is completely unaware of». There is a motivation for such a statement. Immediately after Juncker sent a letter to the president elected to congratulate with him and to invite him to Brussels. As fas as everybody knows that letter never got an answer. Considering the European Commission is constantly under the attack of the EU Member States, it appears clear the sense of frustration of the Commission's chief. Juncker and the body he is responsible for, got little consideration at home and none abroad.
Having said that, there is the possibility Mr. Trump knows really well the world. The impression is he's aware that in foreign policy the EU never existed. By treaties the foreign affairs are competence of the Member States. When it comes to set strategies and take decisions, national governments are the true plenipotentiary players. Showing a pragmatic approach and a clear sense of realpolitik, it is undeniable that the fist thing to do is to deal with single European leaders. The EU is not a priority because it simply can't be. Who does Federica Mogherini represent? The EU has an external action, but not a foreign affairs office. It is true that the EU is in charge of negotiating trade agreements, but Trump seems not to have the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in the list of his priorities. Juncker is the president of a body with limited powers. Until the European Union will have not attributions in foreign affairs policies, it can't surprise if leaders from the rest of the world will decide to bypass the EU. It is not a question of dividing Europe, it is just a question of the nature of the EU. And then, let's be honest: Europe has never been unite in foreign affairs.
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