"Vice Prez Vance's EU Embrace, Europe-Russia Snarls"
Vice-President Vance has rekindled his affection for Europe, with a somewhat strained relationship viewing Ukraine and Russia.
By Lukas Wess, NYC
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In a tête-à-tête with the Munich Security Conference's Wolfgang Ischinger, US VP JD Vance shows a shift in sentiment towards Europe—more cordial yet still critical, less so for Ukraine and Russia.
Euphoria to Frustration - Europe's Transatlantic Tango: Vance's speech at the Munich bash in February sparked a firestorm among European newspapers. His frank criticisms towards Europe's curtailing free speech, hollowing democracy, and even endorsing the AfD earned him a label as a hardliner. Vice Chancellor Habeck took aim, calling it the dissolution of the Western values community. But a few months later, Vance and Ischinger meet, and the VP warmly admits that United States and the EU are teammates to beat. Yet, "critics are all welcome aboard," Vance quips.
"Face the Challenges, Stay Friends"
The first half-hour of the discussion is spent on thorny issues such as trade, defense, and the Ukraine war. But these topics are less confrontational than in February. "The past is the past," Ischinger remarks, easing the tension. Vance grins, admitting they've moved beyond that.
Ischinger then asks about the current state of the Trump camp. Vance sees divisions within the GOP, with Rubio and Waltz expressing increasing skepticism towards Russia.
Russia-Ukraine Showdown: Vance is upfront about the roadblocks in mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He believes both sides are unreasonable - Russia demands too much, while Ukraine's expectations are unrealistic. Vance calls for cool heads and pragmatic reasoning.
During the talk, Vance emphasizes the potential economic benefits of finding a solution. A thaw in relations could boost both nations' industries, offering a silver lining in the feud.
Economic Tango: A Call for Fairness
Ischinger directs the discussion towards the expected trade deal with the EU, questioning what Vance expects. Vance demands fairness. He points out that American software companies face penalties, while their European counterparts do not. Vance recommends that Europe invest in American weapons to foster stronger economic ties.
The Future of NATO: As the NATO summit looms, Vance stresses the need for member nations to contribute a minimum of 5% of their GDP towards defense. He believes this goal is reasonable, addressing Europe's fears of an overwhelming defense burden. But more than just numbers, Vance emphasizes the importance of a strong industry to support military power. In the past, he recalls, Germany balanced its industrial strength with its living standards; today, Europe is deindustrializing, making defense difficult.
Vance acknowledges that the US is on the right track in defense, expressing gratitude for NATO's contributions. Ischinger, in turn, calls Germany "a beacon of hope" for its recent decision to suspend the debt brake for defense spending.
In conclusion, Ischinger invites Vance to return to the Munich Security Conference next year. Vance, appreciative of the invitation, expresses relief over getting a second chance after his divisive speech in February. "Well, we thought about it," retorts Ischinger, causing Vance to laugh heartily.
Insights:
Trade:
- US-India Trade Agreement: Vance has been working towards a bilateral trade agreement with India, focusing on equity and mutual benefits. The agreement aims to generate jobs and address tariff-related concerns.[1][2]
- General Trade Policy: Vance supports Trump's trade strategy—using tariffs to balance global trade in favor of American manufacturing and the middle class.[3][5]
Defense and Ukraine War:
- US-EU Defense Partnership: Vance underscores the significance of a strong U.S.-Europe defense alliance, crucial for preserving Western security amid global threats.[4]
- Ukraine War: Vance engages in discussions about the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for understanding both Russian and Ukrainian interests to find a resolution. He dismisses allegations that the U.S. promotes Russian narratives, reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine's efforts.[5]
- EU-Russia-Ukraine Relations: Vance's approach involves a balanced understanding of Russia's and Ukraine's strategic aims without advocating for Russian aggression.[5]
- Vice President JD Vance's latest statements regarding Europe reveal a more cordial stance, despite criticism towards European policies on free speech, democracy, and political parties.
- In the discussion with Wolfgang Ischinger, VP Vance highlighted the importance of cooperation between the US and EU, while inviting "critics" to bring forth their concerns.
- During the talk, Vance addressed the Russia-Ukraine conflict, expressing concerns about unrealistic Ukrainian expectations and Russia's excessive demands. He advocated for cool-headedness and pragmatic reasoning to resolve the feud.
- VP Vance also emphasized the potential economic benefits of finding a solution, such as boosting both nations' industries, and called for fairness in trade negotiations, recommending that Europe invest in American weapons.
