The American bullies
I really like to discuss EU - US relations, and when Obama got elected, everyone in Europe cheered, for he was viewed as a moderate, not a maverick.
It finally seemed that the US had (again) a president who saw Europe as, not only an important ally, but as an important player in world politics and economics.
Of course when you add the financial crisis to the mix, people on both sides of the Atlantic are quick to point the finger at each other over who is to blame, and who is not doing enough to get it fixed (if there is any fixing to it)
I was slightly disappointed, when during the G-20 summit in London, the US team kept pushing the Europeans to “do more” to solve this crisis, by ignoring our fiscal policy and basically “spend our way out of this crisis”. I really don’t think that spending is the way to solve this crisis and support the German’s in their tight fiscal policy and that of the Eurozone and the Stability pact.
Another key issue (not discussed during the G-20 summit) was the accession of Turkey into the EU . Obama (while on Ankara) discussed that Turkey should be allowed in the EU.
Now, and without wanting to discuss what is the best policy for the EU and Turkey, this is not they way to go. Even before Obama, there was already pressure from the US to allow Turkey into the EU, the US has a vested interest in an ally close to Iraq and the Middle East. But telling the EU who to take or not to take inside the Union is like having Barroso go to Mexico and tell everyone we (Europeans) think Mexico should be part of the US.
Think about it…
Obama, you let me down. Don’t let it happen again. And look at Europe with a bit more respect