The head of European diplomacy: The United States has shown very clearly what it wants. They don't like the EU
The head of the European Union's foreign policy, Kaja Kallas, said in an interview published by the Financial Times (FT) on Friday, after more than a year of turbulence in transatlantic relations, that the United States wants to “divide Europe” and “does not accept the European Union”.
“What I think is important for everyone to understand is that the United States has been very clear about its desire to divide Europe. They don't like the European Union,” Kallas said, according to the FT and Reuters.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly targeted the European Union in his second term, imposing tariffs on EU states and other countries and talking about annexing Greenland – a move that could effectively end the NATO alliance.
This week, the Trump administration launched trade investigations into the EU and other countries, including China, India, Japan, South Korea and Mexico, over alleged unfair trade practices.
As a result of the investigation, the countries could face new tariffs by this summer after the US Supreme Court struck down much of Trump's tariff program last month.
Kallas said the United States' approach to the EU mirrors the tactics used by the European Union's adversaries.
EU countries should not try to negotiate with Trump bilaterally, she said, but should negotiate with him together, “because we are equal powers when we are together,” FT writes.
On defense, however, Kallas said the bloc must “buy from America, because we don't have the resources, the possibilities or the capabilities we need,” adding that Europe must invest in its own defense industry.
