EU-US Trade Relations: EU and US make peace on trade before Russia summit - by Andrew Rettman

The EU and US have ended their oldest trade war in a show of transatlantic unity one day before US president Joe Biden meets his Russian counterpart.

The 17-year old trade dispute over subsidies for rival aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus had seen billions of euros of punitive tariffs imposed on other products, such as tobacco and spirits.

But these will now be lifted for a provisional period of five years, while a special trade council will monitor compliance on state aid for the air firms. The move still left in place t

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EU Unity: Merkel, Macron pledge to lead EU forward post-Brexit

French President Emmanuel Macron won backing from Angela Merkel for plans to reform the European Union after Brexit, founded on what the German chancellor called “intense” cooperation between Paris and Berlin.

But many leaders remained wary of ambitious new projects, doubting the appetite of voters for giving up national control and fearing the continued strength of anti-EU sentiment that is taking Britain out of the bloc and saw the far-right win dozens of seats in the German parliament in Sunday’s election.

“Our discussions showed there’s a common realization of a need for a leap forward in Europe,” Macron told reporters on Friday after an EU summit dinner that stretched beyond midnight in the Estonian capital Tallinn.

“Today we’re all convinced Europe must move ahead faster and stronger, for more sovereignty, more unity and more democracy.”

Macron voiced satisfaction with summit chair Donald Tusk’s commitment to report back to EU leaders when they meet again in three weeks with proposals for concrete steps to be taken. 

Note EU-Digest: A very positive series of proposals came out of thisTallinn Summit . Hopefully the statements by Merkel and Macron will not just fall on deaf ears.. 

Europe must redirect its foreign policies towards a more independent European focused position and not continue to follow blindly in the footsteps of the US., which has totally different objectives than those of Europe. 

This will require a lot of soul searching within the EU, including, looking more closely at the EU's participation in NATO'S military adventures, and even its long-term relationship with Russia. 

What is good for America might not always fit the real needs of Europe.

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