CSU Board Meeting – Soder: Distance between US, Europe and Germany will increase

CSU leader Markus Soeder expects Germany and Europe to distance themselves further from the US, regardless of the election results. “Whether someone else becomes president or not, in the long run there will be a greater distance from Europe and more self-determination,” the Bavarian prime minister said after a meeting of the CSU executive committee in Munich. There is no point in pinning hopes on who the next president might be.

With a President Donald Trump, the process of alienation from Europe would probably go faster, Soeder said. “But it will also happen with the Democrats.”

Germans and Europeans should not be naive

“It is not logical to believe that one can be worse or better. We as Germans and Europeans have to prepare ourselves,” Soeder said. He sees the race as much more open than many think. However, it would be a big mistake to wait blindly, hoping for a better result at the end.

The German government in Berlin must therefore continue to talk to the US“No matter how difficult a partner may seem,” Soeder stressed. At the same time, Germany must also create facts by strengthening the Bundeswehr. “It is a fundamental mistake to weaken the Bundeswehr in this current situation by creating a budget, instead of bringing it forward.”

Concerns over US tariffs on key industries

Germany and Europe must also strengthen themselves economically to better prepare for the future. “Regardless of who it is, they could massively hit our key industries, such as automotive, chemicals and mechanical engineering, with tariffs.”

Since US President Joe Biden withdrew from another bid for the highest office in the US, it is still open which of the Democrats will run for president. One much-discussed name is former Vice President Kamala Harris.

1. Despite the election results in the United States, Markus Söder, leader of the sister party of California State University (CSU) in Bavaria, Germany, expects a greater distance between Europe and the White House.
2. According to Söder, whether it is President Donald Trump or another candidate, there will be greater separation from Europe and self-determination for Germany.
3. During his stay in Munich, Söder stressed that Germans and Europeans should not be overly optimistic or pessimistic about the US presidency, as both potential parties could have similar consequences for Europe’s relationship with the White House.
4. Söder urged the German government to maintain communication with the White House, even though the US appears to be a challenging partner. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the federal army to better cope with future challenges.
5. With the possibility of US tariffs on key sectors such as automotive, chemicals and mechanical engineering under discussion, Söder advised Germany and Europe to strengthen their own economies in preparation for the near future.

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