Britain and France have snubbed a contentious EU emergency meeting to align the bloc’s approach to Donald Trump’s election, exposing rifts in Europe over the US vote.
Hailed by diplomats as a chance to “send a signal of what the EU expects” from Mr Trump, the plan fell into disarray last night after foreign ministers from the bloc’s two main military
powers declined to attend the gathering demanded by Berlin and Brussels.
The setback comes as markets wait for Mr Trump to unveil key appointments. They are watching for a sign of which face the president elect wishes to present to the world: appointing
campaign head Steve Bannon to chief of staff will send a different message than giving the job to the more moderate Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee chairman.
The split in Europe highlights the difficulties capitals face in coordinating a response to Mr Trump, who has questioned the US commitment to Nato and hinted at seeking a
rapprochement with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
Mr Trump at the weekend met Nigel Farage, the populist Brexit campaigner who has become the first foreign politician to meet the future US leader. Carl Bildt, the former Swedish
prime minister, tweeted: “If Trump wanted to look statesmanlike to Europe, receiving Farage was the worst thing he could do.”
British foreign secretary Boris Johnson dropped out of the Brussels meeting, with officials arguing that it created an air of panic, while French foreign minister JeanMarc Ayrault opted
to stay in Paris to meet the new UN secretary general. Hungary’s foreign minister boycotted the meeting, saying some EU leaders were being “hysterical”.
The combination of Mr Trump’s election and Britain’s vote to leave the EU had triggered calls for a total overhaul of the EU’s foreign and defence policy, with Berlin and Paris
demanding greater integration. “If the US disengages from Europe, we need to look after our own security,” said one EU diplomat.
Ministers will discuss plans such as bolstering the EU’s ambition to mount joint operations during a scheduled meeting today, which Mr Johnson and Mr Ayrault will attend. Nato chief
Jens Stoltenberg at the weekend warned the US and its European partners against “going it alone” on defence matters.
Mr Johnson’s refusal to attend will add to a difficult relationship with German counterpart FrankWalter Steinmeier, who has said he cannot bear to be in the same room as the British
minister. Mr Steinmeier said it was good the EU was discussing Mr Trump.
Additional reporting by Stefan Wagstyl in Berlin, Alex Barker in Brussels, George Parker in London, Andrew Byrne in Budapest and AnneSylvaine Chassany in Paris
Duncan Robinson
