Trump Is Threatening Europe With Tariffs. Is It Ready?

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The incoming president promised “tariffs all the way” unless Europe bought more U.S. oil and gas. European officials have no clear strategy for avoiding a trade war.

President-elect Donald J. Trump’s threats of tariffs on allies and adversaries alike have unsettled companies and governments across Europe, setting off a scramble for what they fear could be a trans-Atlantic trade war.

Their nascent plans, including a closely guarded effort at the top levels of the European Commission, appear to be more proactive than what they were the first time Mr. Trump took office. But any attempt to form a united front on trade could be hampered by the sclerotic politics across much of Europe.

The French and German governments both collapsed this month. Austria and Belgium are struggling to form governing coalitions long after their most recent elections.

And no clear consensus has emerged on how to respond to whatever Mr. Trump might have in store. Divisions are already emerging between officials who favor a strategy of retaliation if he tries to impose new taxes on European exports and those who favor negotiation. » | Jim Tankersley, Jenny Gross, Liz Alderman and Melissa Eddy | Reporting from Washington, Brussels, Paris and Berlin | Friday, December 20, 2024

Le Royaume-Uni devra-t-il choisir son camp entre les Etats-Unis et l'Europe? | Géopolitis

Nov 29, 2024 | Cinq ans après le Brexit, le Royaume-Uni sera-t-il contraint de choisir un camp? Le pays renégocie sa relation avec l'Union européenne et mise sur sa "relation spéciale" avec les Etats-Unis, alors que Donald Trump promet d'engager une guerre commerciale notamment avec l'Europe. …

Trump’s Tariffs Will 'Completely Wreck' European Economies

Nov 30, 2024 | “There's a real question as to whether or not Europe is facing another Eurozone crisis.”

Nina dos Santos says Trump’s double-digit tariffs, which would “completely wreck” Germany and France’s economies, could spiral the EU closer to a Eurozone crisis.

‘Would You Survive 72 Hours?’ Germany and the Nordic Countries Prepare Citizens for Possible War

THE GUARDIAN: Apps and booklets are offering advice on how to build a bunker, stockpile food and live without electricity in case the worst happens

Germany is developing an app to help people locate the nearest bunker in the event of attack. Sweden is distributing a 32-page pamphlet titled If Crisis or War Comes. Half a million Finns have already downloaded an emergency preparedness guide.

If the prospect of a broader conflict in Europe seems remote for many, some countries at least are taking it seriously – and, in the term used by Germany’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, taking steps to get populations kriegsfähig: war-capable.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has dramatically raised security tensions across the Baltic region, prompting Finland and Sweden to abandon decades of nonalignment and join Nato. Military capability, however, is not all: citizens have to be braced too.

“We live in uncertain times. Armed conflicts are currently being waged in our corner of the world. Terrorism, cyber-attacks, and disinformation campaigns are being used to undermine and influence us,” the Swedish pamphlet’s prologue says.

Also available in English, it adds that collective resilience is essential and if Sweden is attacked, “everyone must do their part to defend Sweden’s independence – and our democracy … you are part of Sweden’s overall emergency preparedness”. » | Jon Henley, Miranda Bryant and Kate Connolly | Friday, November 29, 2024

Global Capitalism: Europe 2024: Disunity, Decline, Despair | February 2024

Premiered Feb 15, 2024 | Global Capitalism, Richard D. Wolff

I am posting this video not because I necessarily agree with all Professor Wolff says, because I don’t; but what he says deserves serious consideration. I believe in assessing the viewpoints from all sides and from all angles before I make up my mind on anything. I assume that you do too. Please enjoy Professor Wolff’s presentation. Naturally, being a ‘Marxist economist’, he presents a viewpoint from the very left. – Mark Alexander

Can Europe Defend Itself Alone? | ARTE Europe Weekly

Nov 15, 2024 | When it comes to defence, Europe is dependent on the US. But now Donald Trump will be returning to the White House in 2025, and he’s threatened to pull out of NATO in the past. Meanwhile, the military threat from Russia is growing. Can Europe learn to defend itself without America?

Britain Must ‘Welcome’ Closer Ties with Europe, Says Andrew Bailey

THE TELEGRAPH: Bank chief to urge Chancellor to forge stronger post-Brexit relations after Trump victory

Britain must rebuild trade ties with Europe to help stem the economy’s long-term decline, the Bank of England Governor has told Rachel Reeves.

In a major intervention in the wake of Donald Trump’s US election victory, Andrew Bailey is urging the Chancellor to “welcome opportunities to rebuild” post-Brexit relations with the Continent as Ms Reeves orders regulators to focus on growth as part of plans to fire up the City.

Addressing an audience of bankers at the annual Mansion House dinner, Mr Bailey will say that the UK’s economic performance since the 2008 financial crisis is “not a good story”, warning that Brexit has had “consequences” for growth. » | Szu Ping Chan Economics Editor. Eir Nolsøe Senior Economics Reporter | Thursday, November 14, 2024

3 American Myths We Don't Believe Anymore after Living in Europe

Nov 8, 2024

How Is Russia Trying to Destabilise Europe? | ARTE Europe Weekly

Nov 1, 2024 | n Georgia, a former Soviet republic, the pro-Russia party Georgian Dream won the parliamentary elections, amid accusations of vote rigging and Russian interference. Russia’s president Vladimir Putin is seeking to counter European influence both close to home and in emerging countries, particularly Africa. We look at how Russia and its allies are destabilising Europe.

Far-right Europe: From Electoral Success to Neo-Nazi Extremism | Java Documentary

Oct 22, 2024 | The extreme right has won the European elections in France, Italy and Belgium and has gained about a quarter of MEPs in the new parliament. The xenophobia, patriarchy, or authoritarianism that they preach are also present in the programs of parties that are not even considered ultra-right. Issues that were thought to be overcome, such as gender violence, the use of firearms or the death penalty, are being reintroduced into the debate.

The documentary Europe: The Rise of the Extreme Right has investigated the xenophobic parties of Sweden, Italy and Spain and explains the reasons for their growth. They cut freedoms, assume power, and attack the rule of law.

This documentary was produced by Corporacio Catalana De Mitjans Audiovisuals and directed by Albert Elfa, Ricard Belis. It was first released in 2019.

Le crack, une drogue qui gagne du terrain | ARTE Regards

Oct 23, 2024 | Disponible jusqu'au 16/10/2029

Bon marché et extrêmement addictif, le crack est issu de la cocaïne. Cette drogue qui inonde l’Europe devient de plus en plus accessible et dans de nombreuses villes, on la consomme désormais à la vue de tous. Tandis qu’en Allemagne, les habitants se sentent abandonnés par les pouvoirs publics, la Suisse renforce sa politique en matière de drogue.

Noé Gonzales et sa famille vivent dans le quartier berlinois de Wedding, à proximité de la Leopoldplatz. Ces dernières années, la place est devenue une véritable plaque tournante du crack – parfois consommé dans l’entrée des immeubles, au grand dam des riverains. Dans sa cage d’escalier, Noé Gonzales est souvent tombé nez à nez avec des personnes venues fumer du crack, dormir ou dealer, et a dû leur demander de partir.

Ronald Schneider travaille depuis trente ans dans l’aide aux personnes en situation d’addiction. À Francfort, il dirige un centre d’assistance près de la gare, où jusqu’à 400 toxicomanes se droguent quotidiennement à la vue de tous. Avec ses collègues, il gère deux salles de consommation pour stopper la consommation dans l’espace public. Mais l’essor du crack inquiète le directeur du centre. Après quelques secondes d’euphorie seulement, les consommateurs de crack errent déjà à la recherche de leur prochaine dose. Comment les aider à sortir de la rue ?

À Zurich, un concept unique est mis à l’essai. Addict au crack depuis toujours, Kim Hauser fréquente l’un des trois centres de contact et d’accueil qui se sont ouverts au cœur de la ville pour accueillir les usagers de drogue dans de bonnes conditions. Environ mille personnes fréquentent ces espaces adaptés qui offrent des soins médicaux, de la nourriture et la possibilité de priser dans de bonnes conditions d’hygiène.

L’idée était jusqu’alors inconcevable : en Allemagne, il est désormais possible d’acheter de la drogue directement au point de contact de petits dealers – une zone grise tolérée par la police. Le directeur de centre Florian Meyer en est convaincu : pour aider les personnes dépendantes au crack à sortir de la rue, il faut emprunter de nouvelles voies.

Reportage (Allemagne, 2024, 31mn)


Attention ! À mon avis, ce rapport ne convient pas du tout aux enfants. Vous devriez en être épargné.

Ce rapport est également disponible en allemand. Veuillez cliquer ici pour regarder cette vidéo. – Mark

A World in Crisis: Can Europe Cope without the US? | To the Point

Oct 10, 2024 | War in Ukraine, war in the Middle East, and severe hurricanes in the US: The final weeks of Joe Biden’s administration are intense – and they are giving Europe a taste of what it means to stand alone.

The planned visit of the US president to Germany, including a major conference on Ukraine is now cancelled. It is becoming increasingly clear: 'America First' is also the mantra for the Democrats. What does this mean for their European allies? As a third winter of war in Ukraine looms, how much protection against Putin can the West still provide?

On ‘To the Point’ we ask: A world in crisis: can Europe cope without the US?

Guests this week are Sudha David-Wilp from the German Marshall Fund, Marco Overhaus from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, and DW's Roman Goncharenko.

The Churches Response to Islamisation in Europe | Panel Discussion

Sep 27, 2024

Islam is seductive to young men, especially because Islam is a muscular religion. It is muscular and masculine. Islam has no concept of “turning the other cheek”; rather, it preaches an “eye for an eye’. It is easy to see its attraction for young men.

Go to a church on a Sunday these days and you are likely to find not many young men, but many elderly ladies. – © Mark Alexander

White Power: Inside Europe's Far-Right Movement | ARTE.tv Documentary

Aug 29, 2024 | Across Europe, the far right is embedding itself into the political landscape and daily life. But behind an increasingly smooth and respectable façade lies an ideology that remains fundamentally racist and violent. An in-depth focus into an ecosystem of extreme ideology in France, Germany, and Belgium.

Europe Is Family

July 23, 2024 | It was 72 years ago today - on 23 July 1952 – that the Treaty of Paris came into effect. It formally established the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). Known as the Schuman Plan, it was originally proposed by French foreign minister Robert Schuman. He called for the creation of a single authority to control the production of coal and steel in France and West Germany (now Germany), to be opened to membership of other European countries. The purpose? To help secure lasting peace between European countries that were previously more used to resolving their differences through violence, war, and subjugation.

France, West Germany, Italy, and the Benelux countries came together to create an interdependence in coal and steel, so that one country could no longer mobilise its armed forces without others knowing. This eased the deep distrust and tensions between European countries following the most devastating war the world had ever known.

Then, in 1957, the Treaty of Rome created a common market between West Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, uniting those countries economically and politically.
The UK wasn’t part of this initiative, but just four years later, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan applied for us to join. He said to the British people at the time: “In this new European Community, bringing together the manpower, the material resources, and the inventive skills of some of the most advanced countries in the world, a new organisation is rapidly developing with the ability to stand on an equal footing with the great power groupings of the world. “By joining this vigorous and expanding community and becoming one of its leading members, as I am convinced we would, this country would not only gain a new stature in Europe, but also increase its standing and influence in the councils of the world.” He warned, however: “For Britain to stay out and isolate herself from the mainstream of European strength would, I believe, have very damaging results both for ourselves and for the whole of the Commonwealth. “There might be no immediate disaster, but we could not hope to go on exerting the same political influence.”

Since then, and until 2016, EVERY British Prime Minister, from Harold Macmillan to Edward Heath, Harold Wilson to Margaret Thatcher, John Major to Tony Blair, Gordon Brown to David Cameron, supported our membership as being in Britain’s best interests. But since 2016, EVERY Prime Minister – yes, even the new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer – has said we must stick with Brexit.

But can anyone point to any Brexit bonus? Ridiculous barriers between us and the rest of our continent benefit no one, neither here nor in Europe. We should re-join our family in Europe and once again FULLY take part in the running and future direction our continent. We may now be the prodigal country, but Europe will welcome us back if we can learn from the enormous mistake of Brexit and help others not to make the same one.

© Report and video cover by Jon Danzig.
Video programme by the European Commission

Trump’s Choice of Vance ‘Terrible News’ for Ukraine, Europe Experts Warn

THE GUARDIAN: Running mate likely to push Trump to pursue ‘America first’ foreign policy and deal with Putin to end war in Ukraine

Donald Trump’s choice of JD Vance as his vice-presidential pick has reignited fears in Europe that he would pursue a transactional “America first” foreign policy that could culminate in the US pushing for Ukraine to acquiesce to Vladimir Putin and sue for peace with Russia.

“It’s bad for us but it’s terrible news for [Ukraine],” said one senior European diplomat in Washington. “[Vance] is not our ally.”

Foreign diplomats and observers have frequently called Trump’s actual policies a “black box,” saying that was impossible to know for certain what the unpredictable leader would do when in power.

Some have soothed themselves by suggesting that names tipped for top positions, such as former national security Robert O’Brien, would maintain a foreign policy status quo while Trump focuses on domestic affairs.

But a prospective Trump administration now has a much more energetic surrogate who will fuel Trump’s skepticism towards Ukraine and Europe, while urging on the party’s aggressive trade and foreign policy elsewhere around the globe. » | Andrew Roth in Washington | Wednesday, July 17, 2024

JD Vance’s viewpoints are unstable. He has gone from being an arch-critic of Trump to being Trump’s arch-devotee. He is too youthful to have garnered much wisdom yet, and it shows in his views on the Russia-Ukraine War and America’s financial assistance to Ukraine for its defence.

If Americans are so unwise as to re-elect Trump into office along with his new sidekick, World War III will be brought one step closer. Why? Because we can bet our bottom dollar that if Putin is afforded a victory in this war of aggression with Ukraine, he will be emboldened to move on to the next vulnerable country. He will continue building his empire.

These are troubling times indeed! – © Mark Alexander

Trump has ‘detailed and well-founded’ plans to end Ukraine war, says Orbán: ‘Likely outcome’ of Trump victory means EU should reopen diplomatic talks with Moscow, says Hungarian PM »

Britain Is Back’: Keir Starmer Promises UK Will Be At The Heart of Europe

THE OBSERVER: Prime minister wants to foster a new spirit of cooperation and partnership to confront the crises facing the continent

Keir Starmer has promised a new era of closer relations with Europe to ensure future generations can look back “on what our continent achieved together” before a key meeting of European leaders this week.

Starmer said Europe as a whole faced security crises and linked problems over migration, and that Britain should be at the heart of the continent’s efforts to confront them.

In his most positive comments about the UK and Europe since he campaigned against Brexit and for a second referendum, the prime minister said that Europe was “at the forefront of some of the greatest challenges of our time”.

Speaking before a meeting at Blenheim Palace on Thursday of the European Political Community, he said: “Russia’s barbaric war continues to reverberate across our continent, while vile smuggling gangs traffic innocent people on perilous journeys that too often end in tragedy.

“We cannot be spectators in this chapter of history. We must do more and go further, not just for the courageous Ukrainians on the frontlines, or those being trafficked from country to country, but so our future generations look back with pride at what our continent achieved together. » | Toby Helm, Political editor | Sunday, July 14, 2024

At last! Some grown-up government after more than fourteen years of a freak show, a sh**sh*w, and Mickey Mouse government, if government it can indeed be accurately referred to! Punch and Judy have been put to bed! Hopefully, forever silenced!

Now, all we need is for Sir Keir Starmer to think of a way of reversing that ludicrous and impoverishing Brexit. Common sense dictates that Britain’s place is in the heart of Europe. Ergo, we belong in the European Union as full members. This will ensure peace and security in the whole of Europe and it is the sine qua non of prosperity for all. — © Mark Alexander

EU Study Found Jews Facing 'Wave of Antisemitism' in Europe | DW News

Jul 12, 2024 | According to a newly published survey, 75 percent of Jews living in Europe feel they are being held responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. That was one of the key findings of the study by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency. It was compiled before the Hamas terror attacks and the resulting war in Gaza.

Jewish community organizations have separately registered a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023.

The EU study found that 80% of respondents feel that antisemitism has grown in their country, with 90% saying they have encountered antisemitism online. Moreover, 76% said they feel they sometimes have to hide their Jewish identity.

Islamic Culture Not Compatible with European Values: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni | Reupload

Dec 18, 2023 | Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni may have just touched a raw nerve with a loaded comment about Islam at a far-right gathering in her country. According to various media reports, Meloni's potentially explosive observation came at a political event held by the far-right Brothers of Italy in Rome, where she reportedly said that "there is no place for Islamic culture in Europe".

On this matter, Giorgia Meloni is absolutely right, and she should be respected for having the courage to state this hard fact: Islamic culture and Western culture are totally and utterly immiscible. This combination will never work. One culture will win out in the end; and it will be the culture that is the stronger and the culture that gives birth to the most babies. Enough said! Western governments can pass all the laws they want to shut their citizens up, but those laws won’t change a thing. Facts are facts. Moreover, Islam is a proselytizing religion which will get its own way by fair means or foul. – © Mark Alexander

Jonas Kuehne MD: These Food Additives Are Banned in Europe but Widely Used in the US

Jun 5, 2024 | Do you think our health agencies protect you from harmful food additives? They don’t. This video discusses food additives with known health risks that are banned in Europe, but widely used here in the US.