Society and Politics

Sounds reasonable in a situation where loose rhetoric is taking over. Trump is playing a strategic game that Europeans don’t understand, and a confrontation is approaching. The U.S. has positioned itself legally for a showdown this summer, with key dates on June 1 and July 24. In this game, there’s an unknown piece: Norway, which has not yet signed any agreement with the Trump administration. The U.S. wants critical minerals from Norway and may also seek to control oil and gas supplies to the EU. There could be a move targeting Norway to choke off energy supplies to the EU if the union doesn’t bend. Here are the details behind this complex picture: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

European NATO members should try to discourage the US from rushing to the exits by seeking American facilitation of any move towards greater European responsibility in the NATO Command Structure. Analysis by John R. Deni and @MarkAlanWebber: go.iiss.org/3NY3gy5

This is a power play by Trump, using multiple pieces on the board. He is threatening to withdraw NATO forces to push the EU into mineral and trade deals. The U.S. has positioned itself legally, with two key dates approaching: June 1 and July 24. In that window, the U.S. will confront the EU. The unknown piece in this game is Norway—the U.S. wants its critical minerals and could also move to restrict oil and gas supplies to the EU to increase pressure. Read all the details here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

Trump says the United States is “studying and reviewing” a potential reduction of U.S. troops in Germany, with a decision expected “over the next short period of time.” This comes days after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Trump’s strategy in the Iran war, saying the U.S. is “being humiliated by Iran.” The U.S. currently has roughly 35,000 troops stationed in Germany, nearly half of its about 80,000 troops in Europe.

Yes—and this is one piece of Trump’s strategic game. The U.S. has positioned itself legally to impose tariffs, with two key dates: June 1 and July 24. If the EU refuses to strike agreements with the U.S., a confrontation could unfold this summer—and it could involve Norway, including potential pressure on oil and gas supplies to Europe. Norway also holds critical minerals that Trump wants. It’s one of the few countries without a deal with the Trump administration, yet still subject to tariffs. Read all the details behind this complex picture here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

EXCLUSIVE: Brussels estimates that €23 billion worth of EU products containing steel and aluminum could face higher U.S. duties under Donald Trump’s latest tariff scheme. 🔗 politico.eu/article/nearly…

Europe has until July 24 to bend to Trump—or face new borders. Read more here on how Trump has positioned himself strategically and legally for a confrontation with the EU starting June 1. Aviation fuel is just one piece of the puzzle. It could involve Norway, while everyone is focused on the Middle East. samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

Europe probably has until the end of summer before it runs out of jet fuel, Aldo Spanjer of BNP Paribas told Reuters, adding that traders shouldn't assume the UAE's departure from OPEC means prices will tumble once the strait opens reut.rs/4d0obsK

@business Same in UK

A third of Spain’s children face poverty and social exclusion — it’s a massive share that stands in stark contrast with an economy that’s outperforming its EU peers. Read more: bloom.bg/4cGfqoM 📷: Ana María Arévalo Gosen

Before watching the interview, read this on how the U.S. is positioning itself strategically and legally to pressure the EU into agreements. Key dates are June 1 and July 24—during that window, a confrontation could emerge. Read all the details on the intricate game unfolding and how Norway could end up being drawn into the conflict here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

"We are not interested in any trade wars." #TheEuropeConversation spoke to Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, about Europe's current trade relations with both the US and China. Watch the full interview tonight at 20:30 CET on Euronews.

Did the U.S. ever really have the upper hand over China? That’s wishful thinking—and Trump has leverage over Putin. He’s playing everyone against each other to bring Europe to its knees, with a confrontation coming this summer. If the EU doesn’t bend, the U.S. could move to restrict oil and gas supplies from Norway to the EU. It’s something few consider, because Trump doesn’t mention Norway at all. Read the details of this intricate game here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

"Trump Is Demolishing Four Pillars of American Power". An excerpt from my book, Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder: michaelmcfaul.substack.com/p/trump-is-dem…

@sanchezcastejon Make sure you keep control over Gibraltar, thats your job and you might not do it; samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

Hoy entra en vigor provisonalmente el Acuerdo UE-Mercosur, que crea una de las mayores áreas de libre comercio del mundo: más de 720 millones de ciudadanos y el 25% del PIB global. Frente al proteccionismo, la UE y los países del Mercosur apostamos por la apertura, el multilateralismo y por nuevas oportunidades para el comercio, la innovación y el desarrollo sostenible. Y, sobre todo, por la prosperidad compartida a ambos lados del Atlántico. Avanzamos.

@johnstanly Europe gets most of its oil and gas from Norway. Further Norway has large critical mineral deposits. Trump will go for Norway to bend the EU, this is what will happen this summer; samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

I often cite contemporary Germany to my students as an example of a country that lacks strategic autonomy. Germany needs gas, and for years the cheapest source was Russia. It even built an undersea pipeline across the Baltic Sea to ensure a steady flow of Russian gas to power Europe’s largest economy. After the Ukraine war broke out, Germany joined the sanctions regime, reduced its dependence on Russian gas, and started arming Ukraine. Ukraine (maybe with help from CIA and Mi6) blew up the Nord Stream, Germany's most critical energy link. Not a word of protest. German economy fell into deep a recession. It started importing LNG from Qatar and the US to make up for the loss. Ukraine remains unresolved. trump returns to the White House. He is not keen on Nato. What is Germany doing? Insisting that U.S. troops should stay in Germany (and in wider Europe)! Merz was the first among European leaders who openly turned against Iran, even before his pal netanyahu and trump launched the war. He said in January that Iran's leadership had only a few days left. The war, which trump thought would be over in three days, lasted 40 days. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Qatar's biggest gas complex was hit during the war, and its ability to export LNG is largely restricted. So look at Germany. It continues to back the country that blew up its pipeline. It doesn't want to import Russian gas. But it faces severe restrictions on importing LNG from Qatar, thanks to the war launched by the US, its patron saint and Israel, a close ally. What's left? North Sea pipelines from Norway and LNG from the US. Out of frustration, Merz says Iran is humiliating the U.S. And trump is now out to get him!

Trump is engaging with Putin to pressure Europe—that’s part of the game. But if the EU doesn’t bend, it’s possible Trump could concede Eastern European countries to Russia, while keeping a relationship with Western Europe for economic interests. He would never give up Norway, given its strategic Arctic position and its vast oil and critical mineral resources. Norway, Iceland, and Greenland are likely the minimum he would hold onto. Still, I think Europe will back down.

@SocAndPol @scuff7 @KerryBurgess With Trump being a Russian asset?

President Trump is doing one hell of a lot of talking about considering withdrawing troops from Germany, Italy, Spain, etc. When is he going to stop talking and actually do it? No one in Europe is forcing or asking the US to stay, pack up your stuff, close the bases, and go home. It's that simple, and we all wish you the best.

Dessverre er det få som ser hva som foregår bak retorikken. USA planlegger en aksjon mot EU i sommer, de har rigget seg strategisk og juridisk. Det kan bli alvorlig om EU ikke endrer taktikk, USA kan komme til å strupe olje og gass leveranser til EU, les alle detaljene i dette komplekse bildet her; samfunnogpolitikk.no/no/utenrikspol…

Spot on Mette Frederiksen. Men det vigtige i at se mod Europa startede altså ikke med Trump.

This is one of the in Trump’s plan for a confrontation with the EU this summer. Key legal deadlines are June 1 and July 24—within that window, the conflict between the EU and the U.S. will be decided. If the EU doesn’t bend, the U.S. could move to restrict oil and gas supplies from Norway to the EU. Read all the details here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

EXCLUSIVE: Nearly half of EU exports containing steel and aluminum are at risk of higher U.S. duties under Donald Trump’s latest tariff overhaul, according to an early European Commission assessment. politico.eu/article/nearly…

@scuff7 @KerryBurgess This is Norway and afraid we end up in Russia, you didn't get the point.

@SocAndPol @KerryBurgess

This is what Trump wants—he’s building toward a confrontation with the EU this summer, and European leaders are unwittingly playing along. The U.S. has positioned itself legally, and a showdown is coming between June 1 and July 24—when it will be decided. If the EU doesn’t bend, the U.S. could move to restrict oil and gas flows from Norway to the EU. Read all the details here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

Trump's attacks on Europe's leaders worsen transatlantic frost reut.rs/4cLsYiM reut.rs/4cLsYiM

@daily_romania He is far off; samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

German Chancellor Merz complained about online anonymity, saying it is unfortunate that people can say what they think in a way that is "hard to bear" for him

A confrontation—and a decisive moment—between the EU and the U.S. is coming this summer. Trump is driving it, with unwitting support from European leaders. The U.S. could move to restrict oil and gas supplies from Norway to the EU. Read the legal groundwork and full details here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

Donald Trump’s attempts to project swagger 16 months after he launched his second term with a vow to deliver a 'golden age' for America are increasingly falling flat. ft.trib.al/M9oirXn

@KoskovicsZ @POTUS European leaders are focused on rhetoric while Trump is setting up a confrontation with the EU this summer. The U.S. has positioned itself legally and could move to restrict oil and gas supplies from Norway to the EU. Read all the details here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

There was one European leader that could talk to @POTUS. ONE. Brussels putsched him. They don't not want to talk. They think Trump is the enemy. They want him to fail. It is very important that you all understand that. Because this is a big part of the tragedy that is coming.

@FromTheBigBang While European leaders spiral, Trump is preparing a strategic and legal confrontation with the EU this summer. This could lead to a move where the U.S. restricts oil and gas supplies from Norway to the EU. Read all the details here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

🇪🇺 ⚠️ European leaders are pushing back against U.S. demands, placing unprecedented political strain on NATO. While the military structure remains intact, the underlying political trust is evaporating. NATO is surviving on muscle memory while the political brain of the alliance is in a coma.

European leaders are handing power to Trump—and he’s exploiting it. Trump is setting the stage for a confrontation between the EU and the U.S. this summer (June 1 to July 24). It will likely impact oil shipments from Norway to the EU. Read all the details on how the U.S. has positioned itself strategically and legally here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

This is the moment for Europe to understand that U.S. and European foreign policy have not been aligned since the fall of the USSR. The U.S. prioritizes military dominance. Europe’s core interests are different: trade, cheap energy, and economic growth. The EU must build its own defense system, a real army, and an independent foreign policy — one that protects European interests, not American ones. How to become a superpower; app.openmacro.ai/insights/what-…

He likely won’t do it, but European leaders are handing power to Trump—and he’s exploiting it. Trump is setting the stage for a confrontation between the EU and the U.S. this summer (June 1 to July 24). It will likely impact oil shipments from Norway to the EU. Read all the details on how the U.S. has positioned itself strategically and legally here: samfunnogpolitikk.no/en/internation…

After threatening to withdraw some US troops from Germany, President Trump said he would also 'probably' consider pulling out troops from Italy and Spain reut.rs/4ddTmlz