During an interview on Euronews’ Europe Today morning show, Greens/EFA group MEP Saskia Bricmont described the trade agreement between the EU and the United States as a "complete surrender", urging for amplified investments and separation from Washington.
«I belong to those who believe the EU-US trade deal represents a complete surrender,» said Belgian MEP Saskia Bricmont (Greens/EFA) during Euronews’ Europe Today morning broadcast from Strasbourg on Wednesday, reflecting on the political accord reached by European legislators the previous day to ratify the trade agreement.
«There clearly is an intent within the von der Leyen majority to display conciliatory gestures towards Trump. However, I doubt this is the approach he responds to,» Bricmont added.
Members of the European Parliament’s political factions have consented on terms to be linked to the deal, including a «sunset clause» that causes the agreement to terminate at the end of March 2028 unless formally extended, as well as a «suspension clause» permitting the pause of the deal should the US threaten the territorial sovereignty of any EU member state.
«While Trump has somewhat softened his rhetoric regarding Greenland, I am quite certain he hasn’t abandoned his intentions,» Bricmont stated. «His agenda operates on a global scale and clearly embodies a security strategy as well.»
The Belgian legislator emphasized that Europe must «demonstrate firmness» and «respond adequately» when confronted with trade aggressions from the US or other nations, capitalizing on its network of alliances, its economic capacity, and its robust industrial base.
«Trump evidently harbors significant issues with other continents, including Europe. He aims to portray Europe as vulnerable. It falls upon Europeans themselves to prove that Europe is far from fragile,» she asserted.
Bricmont further highlighted that Europeans need to «control their destiny» by committing substantial funds to clean industries and green transitions ahead of the critical EU leaders’ summit on Thursday focused on enhancing competitiveness.
«Currently, I see a lack of investment. Funding our industries, particularly the green sector, is indispensable at the EU level. Failing to do so will leave us as the aging continent,» Bricmont said.
She concluded by observing that other nations are advancing in clean technologies, whereas Europe «is now retreating from its climate and ecological transition,» a fundamental condition for maintaining competitiveness.