After a funny icebreaker, AFET Committee started its first session smoothly. Nonetheless, a pretty bizarre event occurred in the meantime, when the European Parliament went under cyber attack by an anonymous source. However, the session continued normally, despite the fact that the members couldn’t use their devices for a short period of time.
To begin with, Donald Trump’s Administration ‘America First Policy’ was the topic of the debate, as it is characterized by american nationalism and protectionism, bringing chaos in the European Union, as the USA is one of the most strategic partners of the EU. The challenge, therefore, is to find possible ways of collaboration with the USA. As it was pointed out, all MEPs agreed that the USA is the biggest and most valuable ally of the EU, and so their long standing collaboration should be defended. America First Policy should not be seen as an obstacle, but more as a challenge.
In spite of the fact that America is turning in isolation, Europe must render understood that both the USA’s sovereignty shall be shielded and cooperation with EU can be achieved. The USA is the key actor to global stability, and with that having said, most of the MEPs agreed to the fact that the EU and the US shall collaborate in terms of safety, economy and climate change. Trump has to understand that there exist mutual needs for each other. Moreover, the debate moved to the trade relation between the two powers. Most of the members consorted with the idea that it is a dynamic and expanding procedure, which has beneficial outcomes for both allies.
Last but certainly not least, a conflict occurred when some of the members suggested that China could possibly become EU’s next trade partner, as it could be more competitive than the one the EU has with the US. Not everyone was in favor, though, of that idea.
Oxana Senja, Journalist of AFET, EU Focus
