Europe accuses the US of being “follows” at the expense of Ukraine

The country that is taking the most of this war is the United States because they are selling more gas and weapons at higher prices”, a senior official said. POLITICO.

Numerous comments publicly and privately supported by officials, diplomats and ministers elsewhere follow the growing anger in Europe on American subsidies that threaten to destroy the European industry. The Kremlin will likely welcome the poisonous atmosphere among Western allies.

“We are truly at a historic moment,” said the EU's top official, arguing that the double crackdown on the US subsidies and high energy prices risk turning the public against war efforts and the transatlantic alliance.

“America must understand that public opinion is changing in many EU countries. ”

EU top diplomat Josep Borrell called on Washington to respond to European concerns. “Americans, our friends make decisions that have an economic impact on us”, he said in an interview for POLITICO.

The biggest point of tension in recent weeks has been Benden's subsidies and green taxes, which Brussels says threaten to destroy European industries.

Despite formal objections from Europe, Washington has so far shown no sign of withdrawal. At the same time, the division caused by the invasion of Ukraine by Putin is sinking European economies into recession, with rising inflation and toughness in energy supplies threatening outages during the winter.

While trying to reduce their dependence on Russian energy, EU countries are receiving US gas, but the price Europeans pay is almost four times higher than the same fuel costs in America.

Then there is a possible increase in orders for military equipment produced by America, as European armies have failed to send weapons to Ukraine.

Everything is too much for senior officials in Brussels and other EU capitals. French President Emmanuel Macron said high gas prices in the US did not show a friendly side, and German Economy Minister has called on Washington to show more “solidarity” and help reduce energy costs.

Ministers and diplomats in the bloc expressed disappointment at the way the Benden government is simply ignoring the impact of its internal economic policies on European allies.

The “The Europeans are obviously frustrated with the lack of information and preliminary consultation,” said David Claymann by the expert group Bruegel.

The growing dispute over the Biden's <x0-> Inflation Act has increased fears of a major tax, climate and health care package again.

EU trade ministers will discuss their response Friday, while officials in Brussels are drafting plans for an emergency fight of subsidies to save European industries from collapse.

All right?

Despite energy disputes, only when Washington announced a $369 billion subvention scheme to support green industries under the Inflation Reduction Act, Brussels went into a complete panic situation.

The Inflation Reduction Act has changed everything,” said an EU diplomat. “Is Washington still our ally?”

For Biden, legislation is a historical climate achievement. But the EU sees this differently. French Economy Minister Bruno LeMajre this week even accused the US of following China's path to economic isolation, urging Brussels to repeat such a approach: “Europe should not be the last of Mohicians,” he said.

The U.S. has so far been Ukraine's largest military aid provider, supplying more than $15.2 billion in weapons and equipment since the beginning of the war. The EU has so far offered about 8 billion euros in military equipment to Ukraine, according to Borrell, abcnews.al reports.

According to a senior official from a European capital, the refueling of stocks for some sophisticated weapons could receive “between” due to problems in the supply chain and the production of chips.

This has stirred fears that the American defence industry can benefit even more from war.

The Pentagon is already developing a guideline to speed up arms sales, while pressure from Allies to respond to larger requests for weapons and equipment is increasing.

Another EU diplomat said a drop in gas prices could help us keep the public united and negotiate with third countries for gas supply.

From Barbara Moens, Jacob Hanke Vela and Yacopo Baragazi, Politico.eu