A key meeting of EU finance ministers will be held in Warsaw on April 11-12, initially planned to focus on issues of common European defense. However, the escalating trade war with the United States, triggered by the introduction of tariffs by the administration of President Donald Trump, is shifting the priorities of the discussions.
According to Politico, Poland insisted that the meeting be used to discuss proposals such as that of the Bruegel think tank to create an intergovernmental European defense fund. The plan envisaged joint arms purchases and the participation of non-EU countries such as Ukraine and the United Kingdom. However, the initiative is facing serious resistance from a number of member states, especially from the southern parts of the continent, which do not share the feeling of an immediate threat from Russia and are more reserved about increasing military spending.
At the same time, tensions between the EU and the US on trade issues are increasing. The introduction of 20% tariffs on European goods by the US puts the issue of economic sustainability and equality between EU member states on the agenda. Richer countries will be able to support their economies, while poorer ones face the risk of growing economic inequality. This concern was shared by diplomats in Brussels and ministers such as Italy’s Giancarlo Giorgetti and Spain’s Carlos Cuerpo, who have proposed more flexible use of EU-wide funds and revenue from retaliatory tariffs.
Amid these crises, ministers are seeking to develop a common strategy for both EU defense policy and trade negotiations with the United States within the framework of the announced 90-day truce. According to sources familiar with the matter, there is a sense that the EU should use the time to coordinate its response and overcome its internal disagreements.