The "red wave" has failed to materialise, Donald Trump has been weakened: in Brussels, the results of the midterm elections in the USA were greeted with relief. But EU Europeans should not rejoice too soon. The best times with President Joe Biden are over.
Even if Biden does not have to reckon with major headwind from Congress - which remains to be seen, so far it looks more like a stalemate - the transatlantic "honeymoon" will not continue. On the contrary, things are getting serious for the EU.
This is particularly clear in trade policy: Biden, like his predecessor Trump, has swung to a protectionist course. With his "Inflation Reduction Act" he could unleash a transatlantic trade war.
But it also applies to energy policy: the EU has freed itself from its dependence on Russia - but is now dependent on the USA. But LNG supplies will not be enough to cover demand, as even Brussels warns.
The economic war that the EU has instigated against Russia on the US's coat-tails is also proving to be a boomerang. The USA is the biggest winner, the EU is among the losers. The approaching recession is becoming a test of endurance.
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine is becoming even more dangerous. Biden positions US forces ever closer to Russia's borders, the largest nuclear submarine sets course for the Black Sea. A new US headquarters is established in Germany.
At the same time, Biden is increasing the pressure on the Europeans to throw themselves into the battle with more weapons and more money. For the USA is also preparing for a war with China over Taiwan; it could start soon.
Defending European interests
In this situation, the EU must finally defend European interests and distance itself from the USA. It must show its teeth on trade, review the sanctions against Russia and push for moderation in its China policy.
It also needs its own Ukraine strategy that limits and ends the war instead of extending and prolonging it as it has done so far. The Russian partial withdrawal from Kherson is a great opportunity for diplomacy.
But the EU foreign ministers are not even thinking of launching a diplomatic initiative. Instead, they are preparing new, even tougher sanctions against Russia, and the tone against China is also getting harsher.
Most EU politicians have not even realised that "business as usual" is against their own interests. They continue to trust in Biden - and after the midterms he will show even less consideration for Europe...
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) The original post (in German) is here