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good morning. Scoop to start: The European government should buy fairness for clean high-tech companies instead of handing out subsidies, EU competitive director Teresa Rivera told the Financial Times, rejecting the “buying of Europe” narrative promoted by some of its fellow commissioners.
Today I explain why NATO allies are petrified about Donald Trump’s decision on the long-term US promise of defending Europe today, but my colleagues have more to warn Rivera about the desertion of the EU’s green ambitions.
Judgment Day
For five months, European NATO allies have bent backwards to provide President Donald Trump with what he wants to ensure the US’s continued commitment to the defence of the continent. Today they will know if it will work.
Context: Trump requires NATO allies to spend 5% of their GDP on the risk of losing defense or US security protections. The provisions of NATO Article 5 require that an attack on one member be all attacks.
NATO leaders gather in the Hague today and fear that Trump will tear 80 years of protection in America’s Europe when many Trumps feel threatened by Russia.
The US Secretary yesterday said there was a “many definition” of a promise to protect allies in the case of attacks. “When we get there, we’ll provide you with an exact definition,” Trump added.
Trump has long run against NATO allies in Europe, not spending enough money on defense or “freeloading” US military power. In response, today’s summit focuses on pledging this to change. This is a promise that all allies will spend 5% of their GDP on defense by 2035.
Despite Spain’s refusal to sign up for that pledge, Europe delivered what Trump asked. Therefore, regardless of what they do, he becomes a deep fear of wandering around to dry out the European capital.
“President Trump’s comments, which the very definition of NATO’s Article 5 definition of collective defense guarantees, is a bad signal for our enemies and even worse for allies,” said Tory Tausig, former director of European affairs at the White House National Security Council.
One European official said, “We gave him what we wanted, and now he’s ruining us anyway.”
Today’s chart: from house to house
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Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia have found jobs easier than other refugees thanks to their “temporary protection” status in the EU.
Green grip
The EU cannot withstand climate ambitions, Teresalivera, chief of EU climate and competition, told Barbara Morns and Alice Hancock.
Context: BLOC next week shows how the EU will reduce emissions to 2040 by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. The European Commission first committed its goal last year in a very different context, but did not set a way to actually reach it.
Almost 18 months later, the 90% goal became politically toxic as some EU governments, and the committee itself, were less enthusiastic about climate policy amid the bloc’s economic issues.
Many capitals are pushing for more flexibility in their targets, for example, to allow countries to count negative carbon capture emissions, or international carbon credits. Others hope that the exercise sector explains faster emission reductions, while the struggling sectors decarbonise more slowly.
In an interview with FT, Ribera said flexibility is an issue “unless this undermines what we need to do or soaks it in water.”
She said the key was “consistent, inclusive and not watered down to the extent that clear paths are not recognized.”
Ribera was explicitly advised by the EU’s Scientific Advisory Committee, including international carbon credits. She added that using such credits on 3% of targets, a number approved by the German government is a “huge number.”
“The pathway to be completely decarbonized by 2050 is not the case. We will remain in our comfort zone and send enormous efforts to our children to completely reduce emissions between 2045 and 2050.
What to see today
NATO Leader Summit in The Hague.
Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky has signed a contract with the Council of Europe to establish a special court for crimes of invasion against Ukraine in Strasbourg.
The Gavi Vaccine Alliance pledges a summit in Brussels.
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