Europe

Weber warns against US dominance, urges European self-confidence

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Manfred Weber, the German conservative and president of the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament (EP), stated that while they seek an agreement with the United States, they will not allow a Trump administration to push them around.

In an interview with Euractiv, Weber discussed the recent NATO summit, the development of Europe’s own defense, relations with the US, and the EPP’s agreements with its right-wing counterparts in the European Parliament.

“The message that emerged at the end of this week is that we will continue transatlantic cooperation and that the NATO family will stay together,” Weber said. He noted that this is a new reality for them, but one that US President Donald Trump has pushed them toward, emphasizing that Europe needs its own defense foundation within NATO.

The EPP leader welcomed the implementation of certain measures, such as Europe’s armament fund, SAFE, and borrowing options for member states. “However, our current national armies are not capable of defending Europe. We need a European command chain and joint European projects like a missile defense system, a satellite program, a cyber brigade, and a drone army,” he explained.

Weber called for “building a European security architecture,” which he wants to be “fixed and irreversible” as a European structure. He proposed establishing it by ensuring countries participate in pan-European programs through the next EU budget.

“Because if, theoretically, a far-right candidate wins in France tomorrow, then this architecture will be locked down. We must build a defense infrastructure where no country can act selfishly,” Weber argued. “German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany has the largest army in Europe. And then I see the AfD’s 22% poll numbers, and as a true European politician, that worries me.”

When reminded that the EU has been largely ineffective in influencing Israel and Iran in recent weeks, Weber responded, “Europe is turning into a kind of think tank. We are observers, but I want Europe to become a real diplomatic power.”

Weber, who hails from Germany’s CSU party, asserted that reforming the decision-making processes within the EU is necessary to achieve this. According to him, unanimity is the most critical issue on the table. If it cannot be changed under the current Lisbon Treaty, member states willing to move forward—such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain—should do so.

The EPP leader stressed that the EU wants and needs a trade agreement with the US. “But, yes, Europe accounts for 22% of the global GDP, while America accounts for 25%. We cannot let Washington push us around. We are self-confident, and we must show it. We have the tools; the European Commission has the tools,” he declared.

Responding to criticism about collaborating with right-wing parties instead of liberals and socialists on laws related to the Green Deal, Weber said, “Look at the political reality in Europe: in Poland, Romania, and even Portugal, Chega came in second, ahead of the socialists. So I ask the socialists and Renew to please reconsider what is happening outside the Brussels bubble.”

Weber stated that the “authoritarian wave” in Europe must be stopped and argued that the EPP is the most important party capable of doing so.

The EPP leader noted that they would never support a regulation requiring prior approval for media advertising. He argued it was “madness” to talk about reducing bureaucracy while the legislation’s content requires companies like BMW or Renault to get pre-approval from state authorities to make green claims about reducing CO2 emissions.

According to Weber, the EPP’s three fundamental criteria are being “pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, and pro-rule of law.” He claimed he was heavily attacked for blocking some laws related to the Green Deal and the nature restoration law because he genuinely believed they were wrong, and now they see it is not working. “I am saying we must hold our line but remain ambitious. What I am trying to do is not ride the wave of public opinion but to act responsibly and find a good middle ground. This is the best method against populists,” he concluded.

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