Kallas: The United States Wants to 'Divide Europe'

SadaNews - Kaya Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, stated that the United States is seeking to 'divide Europe' and does not 'like the European Union', in an interview published by the 'Financial Times' on Friday, following over a year of turmoil in the relations between the two sides.

Kallas told the newspaper: 'It is important for everyone to realize that the United States is very clear about its desire to divide Europe. It does not like the European Union,' according to a report from the 'Reuters' news agency.

U.S. President Donald Trump targeted the European Union repeatedly during his second term, imposing tariffs on member states and other countries. He spoke about the annexation of Greenland, a move that could effectively end NATO.

This week, the Trump administration launched a series of trade investigations concerning the EU and other countries, such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico, on the grounds of unfair trade practices. Under these investigations, these countries may face new tariffs by next summer after the U.S. Supreme Court last month struck down most of the tariff program previously enacted by Trump.

The 'Financial Times' quoted Kallas as saying that the U.S. approach toward the EU mirrors the tactics used by the EU's adversaries.

She added that EU countries should not engage with Trump on a bilateral basis, but should address him collectively 'because we are equal powers when we are together.'

However, Kallas stated regarding defense that the EU needs to 'purchase from America because we do not have the assets or capabilities that we need,' adding that Europe needs to invest in its own defense industry.