Europe Worries Trump May Wreck Chunk of Merkel's Legacy

[JonLP24]

European Union diplomats are furious that President Donald Trump shut them out of talks between Serbia and Kosovo, fearing not only that EU interests will be sidelined but that the two countries’ long-term interests will suffer.

Three officials familiar with the behind-the-scenes maneuvering in the Balkans said the transatlantic snub ignores years of EU efforts at reconciliation between the two sides and they suspect the main focus for U.S. Special Envoy Richard Grenell is delivering a quick win for his boss. Ahead of November elections, it could burnish his chances to be secretary of state in a second Trump term.

Cutting the EU out of the process now makes little sense because the countries’ prospects are bound up with their efforts to join the 27-nation bloc, the diplomats said.

The U.S. intervention amounts to a diplomatic grab in an area previously occupied by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who spearheaded talks between Serbia and Kosovo and championed EU expansion in the Balkans.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-17/europe-worries-trump-may-wreck-another-chunk-of-merkel-s-legacy?utm_content=business&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&utm_medium=social

[uponit7771]

1. Trump making his pimp Putin happy

[BComplex]

2. Everythhing trump touches dies.

Everything. Just wait it out.

[Dan]

3. Well misery loves company

So the only thing I would say - is Donald Trump is only worried about taking care of Donald Trump. Just as he would have no regards for the welfare of the EU, he also has no regards for the welfare of the USA.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. That's the plan, to weaken Merkel and Germany.

[DFW]

5. I would have the Germans remind both parties

If they intend to apply for EU membership, they might take the time remind themselves where the EU is.