EU faces harsh criticism over its foreign policy coordination

(MENAFN) The European Union is facing harsh criticism over its foreign policy coordination, with a stinging remark from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent highlighting a long-standing issue. When asked how Europe could avoid trade penalties from a potential second Trump administration, Bessent referenced Henry Kissinger’s famous quip: “When I call Europe, who do I call?” This underscored the fragmented nature of the EU’s foreign policy and internal disagreements, suggesting Washington sees Europe as too divided to negotiate with effectively.

Despite ongoing economic and political struggles, EU leaders continue to emphasize unity as their guiding principle. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has repeatedly declared that the EU’s strength lies in solidarity. From energy crises to the pandemic response and military support for Ukraine, she has portrayed collective action as the EU’s greatest asset—even when the results have been mixed or controversial.

In speeches at events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, von der Leyen credited unity with helping Europe navigate economic turmoil and a historic energy crunch. She also praised EU cooperation during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite ongoing scrutiny over secretive vaccine contracts with Pfizer—arrangements she personally oversaw via private text messages that have since disappeared, leaving member states with excess vaccines and unresolved questions.

Von der Leyen continues to trumpet unity on social media, referencing solidarity in everything from support for Ukraine to wildfire aid in Israel. However, critics argue this obsession with projecting unity is more about maintaining appearances than solving the EU’s deeper problems.

Bessent’s comment struck a nerve, essentially telling the EU that what it sees as its strongest trait—unity—is in fact its biggest flaw. The metaphor hits hard: it's like proudly working on your best physical feature, only to be told it still needs improvement. In this case, Europe’s repeated declarations of unity may be doing more to expose its internal dysfunction than to conceal it.

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