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Bratislava – Although the USA considers China its biggest rival, paradoxically, by its practical political and economic decisions, it gives way to her and leaves her space. This also applies in cases when the USA chooses confrontation instead of cooperation with the EU. Slovak Member of the European Parliament Ľubica Karvašová (PS) said this on TASR TV on Tuesday.
For such a retreat, the deputy, who is a substitute in the EP Committee for International Trade (INTA), also considers the decision of the Donald Trump administration to abolish USAID agency programs. “Who will replace this type of US presence in the world? Of course, it will be China, which perceives this as an opportunity,” claims Karvašová.
In the trade sector, where according to her, the USA and the European Union have a joint interest in facing unfair trade practices from China, today Karvašová sees no cooperation, but rather confrontation. “The United States is retreating to China with this policy, instead of seeking allies who perceive China as equally risky,” she explained.
The economic model of relations between the USA and the EU is, according to her, based on trade and cooperation, but the introduction of tariffs by the current American administration disrupts it. “Currently, I do not see a partner in the United States who would be interested in an agreement. They introduced 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum, we are waiting for more additional tariffs from Donald Trump since April 2. We are waiting for the topic of cars,” stated Karvašová.
In this context, she recalled the high share of GDP that car manufacturing constitutes in Slovakia.
“Donald Trump’s policy, where he uses tariffs as a weapon, is damaging the European and Slovak economies. The topic of how we will protect the industry should be theme number one,” she said. She reminded that the EU adopts reciprocal measures in relation to American tariffs, but as she added, “trade wars have no winners, only losers, and in the end, the consumer will pay, including the one in the United States.”
Ongoing meetings of American and Russian representatives on the topic of the conflict in Ukraine are, according to Karvašová, so far seen more as mutual consultations than full-fledged peace negotiations. But according to her, apart from the USA, Ukraine, and Russia, the European Union must also be present at peace negotiations, as this closely affects the security of European states. Security guarantees must also be part of the negotiations after the end of the armed conflict, according to Karvašová.
She reminded that on a European level, a coalition of willing states is forming, which would participate in creating international forces guaranteeing its sustainability after peace is concluded. According to Karvašová, Slovakia does not have to be part of this military force, but it should be present at negotiations about securing European security.
“We should be sitting at the table where these matters are discussed. Today we are not sitting at this table,” she stressed. (March 18)
“Donald Trump’s policy, where he uses tariffs as a weapon, is damaging the European and Slovak economies. The topic of how we will protect the industry should be theme number one.” Ľubica Karvašová