After congratulating the winner of the US presidential election from almost everyone who matters within the EU, the first phone calls soon followed. And they did not disappoint, can be heard in Brussels.
On Tuesday, Biden called Commission Chairman Von der Leyen, German Chancellor Merkel and French President Macron. That this happens so soon after his election gives politicians in Brussels hopeful. In the talks, European leaders expressed hopes for a “close relationship of trust” (Merkel) and “multilateral cooperation on climate, safety and health” (Macron).
Biden is known as a multilateralist. As vice president under Obama, he was often in Europe, as evidenced by the number of photos that European leaders tweeted of meetings they had with Biden in his previous position. Yet expectations about cooperation before the elections were tempered in Brussels.
Biden will have his hands full with the corona crisis and economic crisis in the US itself. In addition, he will also want to win over Trump voters. So don’t expect a return to Obama’s time, was and is the most frequently heard analysis. As a result, Biden’s initial intentions could hardly disappoint and therefore do not.
Climate agreement
Biden’s greatest promises were that he would allow America to participate again in, for example, the World Trade and World Health Organization, but above all that he would bring the US back into line with the Paris climate agreement. The first conversations about this have already been held this week between the teams of Biden and European Commissioner Timmermans.
“That is of course very important politically”, GroenLinks MEP Bas Eickhout analyzes. “It will become increasingly difficult for countries such as Brazil and Australia, but also for some European countries, to continue to oppose the climate goals.” Still, he tempered the expectation of a rapid greening of America, because “Biden needs the Senate for that and the Republicans may keep the majority there.”
Brexi
Biden also called British Prime Minister Johnson last Tuesday and informed him in that conversation that Brexit should not threaten the peace between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Irish Prime Minister, who also called Biden, was delighted after his conversation.
In advance, it was expected in Brussels that a quick trade deal between the UK and the US under Biden would be less obvious, and that Johnson would therefore become more lenient in the negotiations about a trade deal with the EU. However, various sources confirm that little of this can be seen as yet.
‘EU must be strategically autonomous’
It is the first sign that the mere fact that Biden has been elected is not enough to influence international relations. In this respect, the Nobel Peace Prize that Obama received even before he actually brought peace somewhere is being pointed out.
Brussels diplomats but also MEPs continue to speak emphatically about the need for the EU to be ‘strategically autonomous’. This means that the EU should depend as little as possible on other world powers such as China, Russia and the US for crucial matters such as public health, industry, food and safety. In addition, the idea is widely shared that Trumpism could return to power in the US in four years’ time.
Also worried after Biden’s victory
Nevertheless, the relief is palpable. The tone from the US is already different. Yet Trump’s tone has certainly not only caused damage, argues FvD MEP Derk Jan Eppink: “The EU should also have a tough stance against China much more often. Trump also brought peace agreements between Israel and Arab countries.”
Eppink is concerned that this is at risk under Biden. “Especially since the left wing within the Democratic Party can now become very dominant.” It is a sentiment that you also hear from some Member States. The leaders of Poland and Hungary, for example, could count on Trump’s support in their opposition to rules from Brussels. And the Slovenian Prime Minister, who soon after the close of the ballot boxes congratulated Donald Trump on his victory, has not yet converted those congratulations to Joe Biden.
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