POLITICS: Gaps Surface over the Atlantic

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Stefania Bianchi

BRUSSELS, Nov 18 2003 (IPS) - Attempts to bridge transatlantic rifts between the European Union and the United States have failed so far this week in spite of efforts by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Relations between the European Union (EU) and the United States are being put to the test as the U.S. political circus arrives in Europe. President George W. Bush will meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London. Powell came to Brussels to meet EU foreign ministers.

The meetings are aimed at repairing ties frayed by the Iraq war and trade disputes.

Speaking in Brussels Tuesday after his first meeting with EU foreign ministers, Powell tried to play down differences between the two powers in spite of new strains over Iran, defence and steel trade.

Last week an ongoing trade battle between the EU and U.S. reached a climax when the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled that U.S. tariffs on steel imports were illegal. This raised the prospect of Brussels imposing tariffs on 2.2 billion dollars worth of U.S. imports from Dec. 15 unless the U.S. removes its tariffs on steel imports.

Powell addressed the EU ministers on various EU-U.S. issues including the European Security and Defence Plans (ESDP), the Middle East, Iraq and Iran.

Both the EU and the U.S. are keen to put their differences behind them, but this may prove difficult.

Speaking to journalists after his meeting with the EU Council, Powell played down differences over the EU’s defence policy, but condemned EU moves over Iran.

Powell said he backed an agreement by EU defence ministers Monday to prepare for a European Defence Agency. “The United States wants a united and expanded EU,” he said. “We support all the initiatives that are under way to expand the European Union in the security field.”

He also dismissed concerns that a new EU defence procurements agency could hit U.S. companies as Europe seeks to boost its military capacity. “It looks like a sensible agency to have in the structure and it does not cause us any concerns,” he said.

EU officials echoed Powell’s view on this. But some differences remain.

Powell said Washington remains at odds with the EU over ways to stop Iran developing nuclear weapons. Powell admitted having a “candid discussion” on this with EU foreign ministers.

The United States is concerned over a draft resolution to be tabled by Britain, France and Germany before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The draft resolution reportedly makes no mention of Iran’s non-compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty or the need to bring Tehran before the UN Security Council where it could face sanctions.

“We have our reservations about the resolution and we are in discussion with our European colleagues and the IAEA about whether it is strong enough to convey to the world the difficulties we have had with Iran,” Powell told journalists.

Powell’s meeting with EU officials came just hours before Bush began his controversial visit to London.

The week of talks coincide with a major U.S. policy shift in which the United States, in agreement with Britain, will end the occupation of Iraq by the summer of 2004, but continue to commit troops in the region until 2006.

The EU declared that it “took note with satisfaction” that plans are on the table to hand over power to Iraqis.