Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
World · page 4 of 5
From Honduras to Brussels, the US president is treating foreign policy as an extension of domestic culture war, backing right-wing candidates, attacking EU climate laws and funding conservative networks across the continent.
Washington's 28-point proposal crosses European red lines on territory, force caps and NATO infrastructure. A counter-offer from Berlin, Paris and London has been floated but Europeans remain excluded from direct talks with Kyiv in Miami.
Washington links steel and aluminium concessions to changes in the Digital Markets Act and digital services taxes, while Brussels insists its regulations are non-discriminatory and not negotiable.
Berlin is turning to Ankara for artillery ammunition, drone technology and industrial capacity, while Turkey seeks entry to the EU's €150 billion SAFE financing programme.
Former NATO chief calls for air defences on alliance territory, European troops in Ukraine and seizure of frozen Russian assets to force Putin to negotiate
Brussels tells member states it will not accept Washington's demand to drop supply chain and climate legislation as the price of a tariff agreement, setting up a clash at next month's European Council summit.
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul says no alliance member will face Russian provocations alone, while Ukraine's president proposes a shared aerial defence system at Warsaw Security Forum.
US president tells UN gathering that Ukraine can retake all land lost to Russia with European and NATO support, reversing his previous call for mutual territorial concessions.
The alliance's new mission begins within days with air and ground assets from France, Germany, the UK and Denmark, as 43 nations condemn Moscow at the UN Security Council.
Russian president warns any foreign forces would be legitimate targets while Macron says 26 allies have committed to a reassurance force, but US rules out ground troops and ceasefire remains distant.
Berlin says it will decide on troop deployment only when US engagement and negotiation framework are clear, while Trump presses Europeans to halt Russian oil purchases.
ECB president says political control of US interest rates would destabilise the world's largest economy, though legal constraints make a takeover difficult.
ECB president tells Radio Classique that US central bank independence is legally protected but its loss would threaten price stability worldwide
A geopolitics analyst argues the August agreement makes the EU an auxiliary enforcer of American containment strategy toward Beijing, with clause 19 requiring investment screening and export controls mirroring US measures.
European leaders joined Zelenskyy at the White House as Trump described a guarantee framework reliant on European troops backed by US air power, with formal details promised within ten days.
Fifty years after recognising Beijing, several European capitals are expanding unofficial ties with Taipei while Brussels pursues de-risking, prompting Chinese concern that the bloc's one-China commitment is eroding.
Kaja Kallas warns any US-Russia deal excluding Kyiv and Brussels will collapse, with foreign ministers meeting online Monday before Friday's Alaska summit where Trump has suggested territorial swaps.
Kaja Kallas rules out concessions to Moscow before a verified ceasefire while EU leaders coordinate ahead of Friday's Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
US vice-president and UK foreign secretary host Ukrainian and European officials at Chevening days before Alaska meeting where territorial concessions are expected to dominate.
The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Denmark have committed funds through NATO's new procurement mechanism, marking the first concrete deliveries under the alliance's accelerated support programme agreed at The Hague summit.
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