In These New Times

European Commission – Statement

2nd August, 2017

In the wake of Donald Trump signing off on stricter US sanctions against Russia, the Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker expressed his satisfaction, in principle, over the softening of the bill after the EU had expressed its concerns. “I stated at the G7 summit in Taormina, Italy, and at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, that if the Americans proceeded [with the adoption of new sanctions], we would be ready to react adequately in a matter of days. As a result, a significant proportion of the intended sanctions against Russia have been dropped. Moreover, the US Congress has now also committed to only apply sanctions after the country’s allies are consulted. And I do believe we are still allies of the US”, President Juncker said. European interests can thus be taken into account in the implementation of any sanctions. If not, the President of the European Commission reserves the right to take adequate measures. If the US sanctions specifically disadvantage EU companies trading with Russia in the energy sector the EU is prepared to take appropriate steps in response within days. “We are prepared”, President Juncker said during a radio interview with the ARD’s European studio in Brussels, broadcast today (Wednesday) at 20:30 on NDR Info. “We must defend our economic interests vis-à-vis the United States. And we will do that.” The EU is maintaining its own sanctions against Russia. However, in order to fully implement the Minsk Agreements, the G7 must unanimously agree on the sanctions, with close cooperation between the allies. The US bill could have an unintended impact on EU interests relating to energy supply security. The sanctions would affect energy transport and the maintenance of pipeline systems in Russia which supply the Ukrainian gas transit system. The new US sanctions could also impact EU efforts to further diversify the energy sector, particularly in the Baltic.

“Britain should be aware that if the country’s new aircraft carriers are sent to patrol the South China Sea, the Chinese will view it as a provocation.” But it is precisely provocation, if not open war, which is the new Anglo-American doctrine following the overwhelming congressional vote for sanctions against Russia, to be imposed universally, Cuban sanctions-style. The most immediate target of this shift to confrontation is Germany and the EU. Thus, the Brexit policy which appeared to be obscure comes into focus: there is no coherent negotiating position over Brexit because the sole purpose of Brexit is to destabilize Europe. My immediate response to Brexit characterizing it as a neoconservative coup turns out to be precisely correct. As I wrote then:

“Here is why the British people made a catastrophic error on Thursday, one which they will live to bitterly regret. Britain will pay a terrible price for hosting a neocon junta which is set to continue Britain’s long and dishonorable tradition of interference in the sovereign affairs of other countries.”

As I also pointed out then, Brexit was posited on the assumption of power by the Clinton clique. The election of Trump put a spanner in the works and left the Brexiteers adrift. It is only after prolonged machinations that Trump’s agenda has been neutralized and London once again set fair for a collision course with Europe backed by America’s reinvigorated neoconservatives.

Global Times

During a visit in Australia, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Thursday that Britain’s two new aircraft carriers could be sent to patrol the South China Sea, and he said that the operation was designed to vindicate the country’s belief in “the rules-based international system and in the freedom of navigation through those waterways which are absolutely vital for world trade.”

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