TOP EU official Charles Michel has declared that the bloc’s future should not be determined by the outcome of the US election, implying that both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris will pursue protectionist policies.
“There are some differences between Harris and Trump, for sure,” outgoing European Council president Michel said in an interview with the European Newsroom, which includes AFP, on Thursday.
“In the short term, it will be different. But in the mid-term, in the long term, are we certain that it will be fundamentally different?”
EU countries are warily anticipating the nail-biting referendum across the Atlantic next month, which might return former President Trump to office.
The vote comes at a critical point for the EU, as Russia’s full-fledged invasion of its neighbor Ukraine approaches its fourth year.
Trump has alarmed Washington’s European allies by threatening to dismantle NATO, reach a speedy agreement with Moscow on Ukraine, and slap trade penalties.
“In terms of economic partnerships, do you think that with or without Harris, or with or without Trump, the United States will not be anymore a protectionist country?” Michel addressed the issue.
“They are a protectionist country, I regret this situation.”
Michel stated that the 27-nation bloc must “not reflect in terms of we are afraid because we don’t know who will be the next president of the United States.”
“I don’t want that my children will depend on who will be the next president of the United States, who will be the president of China, of Russia,” according to him.”
“I want my children, my grandchildren to be in control of their destiny because it is in Europe that we decide what is our future and what is our destiny.”
The United States and EU states have provided the majority of backing to Kyiv in what some in Europe regard as an existential conflict for the continent’s security.
However, Trump has put doubt on the United States’ continued assistance to Ukraine.
Michel said the EU should increase its “military and financial support” to Kyiv after Western countries said North Korea had dispatched troops to Russia.
“This again is an escalation by Russia,” he claimed.
Looking back on his five years as chair of EU leaders’ summits, Michel expressed disappointment that the bloc did not play a more active role in another global hotspot, the Middle East.
Michel is nearing the conclusion of his term as head of the EU Council, which serves as the bloc’s member states and will be succeeded by Portugal’s Antonio Costa on December 1.
Since Hamas’ October 7 onslaught on Israel a year ago, EU countries have struggled to find a single voice in the Gaza conflict.
The group has also failed to use its influence to keep the situation from worsening, as conflict has extended to Lebanon.
“We are the first economic partner of Israel, on the one hand, and we are the first partner in terms of development for the Palestinian people on the other hand; We should be more ambitious in using the tools we have on both sides to bring more stability.” the officer concluded.