BRUSSELS - A new European Union military pact risks shutting American companies out of defense contracts and undermining NATO, the United States has told the bloc, hinting at possible retaliation.
“It is clear that similar reciprocally imposed U.S. restrictions would not be welcomed by our European partners and allies, and we would not relish having to consider them in the future,” said the letter from two U.S. Department of Defense undersecretaries, Ellen Lord and Andrea Thompson, to the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini.
“The European Union is and remains open to U.S. companies and equipment,” she told reporters on Tuesday, adding the European procurement market is more open than that of the United States, which is already dominant in the global weapons trade. President Donald Trump’s administration told EU governments in February last year the United States should play a central role in the European pact.
U.S. concerns about being frozen out of the European pact, known formally as Permanent Structured Cooperation and its multi-billion euro defense fund, have sown confusion in Brussels, which is also the headquarters of U.S.-led NATO.
cyanide time ?!
Why would the EU take a chance, when the US kowtows to one of their biggest threats, Russia? Russia's already told trump to leave the UN.
Seems, EU, has had enough of TRUMP PROTECTIONIST AGENDA.
What goes around, comes around! April 18, 2017-Exec Order requires agencies to conduct a top-to-bottom assessment of the procurement rules and get rid of any loopholes that would give foreign products an advantage over American ones. “Piggy-bank Victims” again?
You understand that the bellicose statements made by Trump et al for the EU to spend more on military is in reality Trump et al saying the EU has to buy more American armaments - the issue isn't as much spending on security as it is supporting overpriced armament manufacturers
freegolds GlumBird Now this would be something if France and Germany no longer purchase us manufactured weapons
The EU is finally paying dues, thanks to Trump, and they want to make sure it employs thier people.
Tells?
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