EU’s Costa Urges U.S. to Respect Europe’s Sovereignty

A senior European Union official has issued a strong warning to the United States regarding its involvement in European political matters. On Monday, Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, emphasized that decisions about governance should rest solely with European citizens. His remarks were a direct response to the newly released national security strategy from the administration of former President Donald Trump, which characterizes European allies as weak and appears to endorse far-right political movements.

Concerns Over Interference

In a speech delivered at the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris, Costa stated, “It is good that the strategy depicts European countries as allies, but allies don’t threaten to interfere in the domestic political choices of their allies.” He underscored the importance of European autonomy in determining which political parties should govern, asserting, “The United States cannot replace European citizens in choosing what the good or the bad parties are.”

The national security strategy, published on March 15, 2024, has drawn criticism for questioning European policies on free speech and migration. It warns that U.S. allies in Europe face the “prospect of civilizational erasure,” casting doubt on their long-term reliability as partners. Costa remarked, “Our history has taught us that you can’t have freedom of speech without freedom of information,” highlighting the vital connection between these concepts.

Implications for U.S.-Europe Relations

Furthermore, Costa cautioned that the ongoing influence of tech oligarchs in the U.S. poses a threat to free speech in Europe. He stated, “There will never be free speech if the freedom of information of citizens is sacrificed for the aims of the tech oligarchs in the United States.”

This national security strategy marks a significant shift from the previous administration’s approach, which sought to strengthen U.S. alliances globally. As the U.S. aims to conclude its nearly four-year conflict with Russia in Ukraine, the strategy expresses a desire to improve relations with Moscow. Costa pointed out the danger in this approach, stating, “The objective in this strategy is not a fair and durable peace. It’s only about the end of hostilities, and the stability of relations with Russia.”

He added, “Everyone wants stable relations with Russia, but we can’t have stable relations with Russia when Russia remains a threat to our security.” Costa’s comments reflect growing concerns among EU officials and intelligence communities that Russia could potentially launch further attacks in Europe if it achieves victory in Ukraine.

As tensions between the U.S. and Europe continue to evolve, Costa’s remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of mutual respect and understanding in international relations. The future of U.S.-EU collaboration will depend heavily on recognizing each other’s sovereignty and the right of citizens to choose their own political paths.