The writer is co-CEO of the Brussels-based Itinera Institute and author of ‘Superpower Europe: The European Union’s silent revolution’
Europe entered the summer with the prospect of a transatlantic divorce looming as the futures of Ukraine, Nato and trade remained up in the air. With their beach holidays beckoning, European leaders may now be taking a sigh of relief. The US president who called Nato obsolete, promised to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours and declared the EU a foe, has instead taken their side — for now.
But to placate Donald Trump’s instincts, Europe has had to bow down and pay up, no fewer than three times. First for Nato, pledging hundreds of billions to additional defence and security spending. Then for Ukraine, committing to paying the US for weapons Ukraine needs. And this week for trade, allowing the US to unilaterally multiply tariffs even as Europe promises more than $1.3tn in purchases of American energy and weaponry, and in investments on US soil.