Yeah, that’s my one hope, to be honest.

I understand needing them for now, because there’s kind of change needed is just that huge. But I hope we actively put in the work to break away from this dependence long term.

Ashamed to be European today. For all the tough talk and strong worded letters we really can’t blame anyone else about being so dependent on other forces when we capitulate so easily to these thugs.

For all the talk about holding the line with other allies such as Canada, who are much closer and keeping their elbows up, this is truly disgraceful. Plus with all the far right influence popping up all over the west at the same time, which isn’t a coincidence.

Besides, with the way the US is going, Trump or not, how long until this deal is null and void by them?

Do it. But not really. Unless you want to.

That’s how you know he’s scared shitless. Also, his overcompensating tweets tend to be a great indicator of how small he feels. The bigger the wall of text, the more filled with lies/CAPS LOCK/insult/etc. - the more out of his depth he is, like a cornered animal screeching.

Plus, military seems to be quietly saying the loud part, as one could interpret the small signs of the parade. So if he can’t count on them he can’t rely on any dictator’s biggest enforcing arm, the same arm that can easily crush ICE and all the co-fascists if it ever comes to that.

I really hope they don’t get away with it in the end. Simply being removed from office without heavy consequences for all of them just sends the message that the next sleazebag can start to slowly carve a path on the shadows and attempt success where these grifters failed.

He already tried it during his first term, but luckily was inexperienced and mostly surrounded by people who reeled him in. Now, on his second attempt he’s learned from experience, and surrounded himself with yes men, either by appointing them directly, or by firing and replacing someone else in a strategic position that could threaten him. Which makes him much, much more of a threat.

There won’t be a third attempt from Trump, but you can bet the likes of Vance, Miller and so on will try to fill the void he leaves if they aren’t held accountable. Heck, even Trump’s son’s have already floated the idea of following their father’s footsteps. Evil is always lurking, waiting on a chance to pounce when prey is weak.

Damn, for a lake bragging about making things wet that was some sick burn.

Nice EU win, imo. Rampant apocalyptic capitalism has no place here. We are still capitalistic, but with regulation to it. Tech is here to serve the people, not just to fill the elite’s pockets without regards for citizen rights.

These Zuck’s, Musk’s and Bezoes over here trying to be the digital equivalent to your average grocery store sleazebag trying to label horse meat as beef or pork in order to make a higher profit by dishonestly squeezing the consumer to the bone. We have standards and regulations for a reason - to protect consumers.

Cue tech billionaire tantrum about EU being “out to get them” in 3… 2… 1…

Fine by me. So long as he doesn’t come crying later when the EU starts properly taxing US-based digital products used by Europeans, in addition to extra tariffs on them. Which something we’re reluctant to do but should absolutely be willing to do if push comes to shove.

I just hope EU sticks to its word of standing strong and doesn’t chicken out when it starts to hurt. Hope we give him the China treatment.

We might hurt temporarily but we are not strangers to suffering or fascist aggressors as many of our cities still bear the scars of war, and we’re also making up for lost time and trust by investing more in our own geopolitical independence, pharma, science and defense. And we have the free world on our side.

We might avoid conflict whenever possible, because we know better through experience, but we will also make sure our aggressors get left in worse shape, and for much longer.

So bring it on, homeboy.

Yup. Context always matters. In this case “peace” is code for “let’s wrap this up ASAP so Russia can move on, rebuild its economy and properly regain economic ties to Trump’s US, as well as benefit the Trump admin and Trump family”.

Screw the very real possibility of another incursion later on to take anything left from Ukraine, or other countries close by, and before moving on to the rest of Europe.

The lives of the people actually living it, or the whole point of this war, be damned.

I agree. United we stand, divided we fall. When are these leaders make the jump from talking a big game to actually acting on it?

Appeasing 👏 to 👏 bullies 👏 leads 👏 to 👏 more 👏 bullying.

This goes to any other leader doing the same. China may not be a role-model for many things, but they at least had enough of a backbone to fight Trump until he forced his own hand into lowering his stupid tariffs. They can’t win a trade war against the entire world, when said world can trade between itself anyway.

You can’t look at a madman threatening you by saying “Do what I say, or I’ll shoot myself in the foot!” and give him power over you.

I have an idea: Poll all the pro-authoritarian people in other governments, like Trump, Vance, Putin, Kim, Xi, etc. on their opinion about AfD being shut down.

Do the opposite of what they say.

I know we must defend free speech, and everyone has a right to their opinion. But even more importantly, “my freedom ends where other people’s freedom starts”.

Free speech =/= hate speech, and hate speech disguised as free speech should always be restricted. Because the point of said hate speech is usually to restrict opposing ideas once it takes control. And Germany knows that better than most. Never lose sleep over silencing hate speech.

It never ends at “I am free to hate others if I don’t act on it”. If given the chance to hate without real repercussions the hateful ones will always take any excuse to act on said hate. That’s the one irony about unrestricted free speech - it tends to find a way to eventually restrict itself again through festering hate, in time.

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So how long until real criminals start following suit and impersonating undercover ICE agents? Not like there’s much distinction between either “career” now, is there?

And then how long until ICE agents start showing up with holes on the ground because property owners “thought” they were real street thugs trying to rob them? Is there even a way to tell the difference? ~wink wink~

So he’s willing to be dependent on Russia, especially as EU loses the reliability of one of its greatest historical allies, which also is the same one with the biggest arsenal.

If it’s a matter of how quick it can be done, I understand that for some countries 2027 is too soon to adapt to such a big change, and wouldn’t mind some form of leniency on the matter for such cases. But if by the time the contract ends in 2034 Slovakia doesn’t think of an alternative along with other countries relying on Russian gas, it may as well invite Russia into it.

We’re also not in an ideal position in terms of autonomous defense, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t find ways to be a more self-reliant continent who trades with others not because it needs, but because it wants.

I’m sure Vance would definetly know. He has his home TV, after all.

You can just tell he and the rest of Trump’s cheerleaders are trying to undo any progress made during the Vatican meeting.

“Mr. President, don’t fall for their manipulation, this war will never end, they wanna take us for a ride”. You just know it.

Start giving Trump what he wants and he’ll just take, take, take until there’s nothing left.

And when we’re in a worse position than if we had stood our ground he’ll just label EU a sucker and go about his day.

Never give in to bullies. Even China knows that.

Pascal Soriot said innovation in pharmaceuticals ‘has mostly been funded by the US’

Mr. Dr. Chad here does know that Europe hasn’t invested as heavily in that sector because there was no critical need for it, right? Which now has changed.

That’s the whole point of stable economic relations like the one we had with the US until now, because there’s no point to every country producing everything as if they were alone when they can import whatever they don’t have from somewhere else.

Anyways, go and hang out with your fascist buddies if you want, as they continuously implode your whole argument of “US did more” by driving away scientists and other talent, as well as defund several critical health-related research projects.

Meanwhile, we’ll do our own thing and slowly but surely make up for lost time and misplaced trust.

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, champ. I hear these days the US isn’t the safest place for health/pharma CEO’s tho.

I’m sure Trump will call it defiance, maybe even “illegal”, in his own deranged view of his position. Imagine Europe throwing a tantrum over the NAFTA or USMCA agreements.

I however, choose to see it for what it is. Sovereign freedom of choice, and prioritization of reliable partners. It has to do with the US, and we can’t deny it, but it doesn’t have to be solely because of them.

This is something we should have worked on since always, given the UK is still part of the European continent and not America. Regardless of past disagreements, here’s to hoping this time we learn to rely on ourselves without dependency on other world powers.

Europe has been weakened decades ago and needed assistance after being ravaged, but we can stand on our own now, without being subject to the whims and votes of another culture we don’t even have say in.

This shock was needed for Europe to wake up, and Trump shouldn’t be surprised that his aggressive approach will only cost him the same allies that prioritized and put the US first, giving it the global power it had until now, contrary to his “we’re being taken for a ride” claims.

So let’s prioritize, Donny. Those with more felonies and broken laws go first, since they’re the main thugs society should focus on. Deal?

That’s the issue. Too much threatening, too little going forward with it.

No one wants unnecessary conflict. We all want to get along. But when you have people acting in bad faith, who know you’re bluffing, they’ll take advantage of you everytime.

Because they know you’ll complain but that’s the extent of it. If they act in bad faith apply consequences, don’t hold back. When they complain or throw a pity party don’t waver. They knew it was coming, they were warned.

With the US adding fuel to the fire we’re at a crossroads in history. Russia wants to buy time, and excessive bureocracy and empty threats only aid them and their cronies.