To “renew and preserve” the historic relationship, Germany, alongside France and its European partners, should seek a “balanced partnership” with Washington in which they “form a counterweight where the U.S. crosses red lines” and advance “where America retreats,” according to Maas.
He called on European allies to “strengthen the European pillar” of NATO — “not because Donald Trump is always setting new percentage targets [for defense spending], but because we can no longer rely on Washington to the same extent as before” — and to move forward with plans for closer security and defense cooperation among EU members. [...]
Maas also defended Europe’s efforts to legally protect its companies from U.S. sanctions linked to Iran. “It is of strategic importance that we say clearly to Washington: We want to work together. But we will not allow you to act over our heads at our expense,” he wrote.
No comments:
Post a Comment