“We can no longer fully count on the White House – with this strong, but flagship speech, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has signalled a potential breakthrough in the traditionally good relations between Europe and the United States. The reaction came in response to a speech by US President Donald Trump, who described the EU “non-friendly” in regard to current trade issues.

The speech comes in the context of trade wars between the US and other big players. Since the relations between Washington and Brussels have also raised a similar issue, the EU has called on the leaders of the United States of America, China and Russia to work together to avoid deepening the conflict. The appeal was addressed by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk on the eve of the 20th EU-China Summit in Beijing. However, according to Trump, this is clearly not enough.

He did not forget to scrutinize Brussels at his meeting with the UK Prime Minister Theresa May. They then agreed on the position that the country has an unprecedented opportunity to do more after Brexit. It was clear that a second referendum on Britain’s exit from the European Union would not be carried out.

According to Heiko Maas, the most important consequence of what is happening in recent days is the lesson that that Europe needs to further tighten its lines and seek autonomy in the international arena.

Trump’s comment, using the word “foe”, synonymous with “enemy” or “opponent” to describe the union of the countries which are considered to be the closest and most important allies of the United States, continues the gradual change in the position of Trump in its attitude towards European democracies. Bilateral relations US-Europe have suddenly proven to be one of the numerous power axes, which also include Russia, China and the United Kingdom.

The consecutive exchange of words comes in the light of the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in the Finnish capital Helsinki. Finland became a member of the European Union in 1995, but similar to neighbouring Sweden remains outside NATO as a military unbound country, and it traditionally plays the role of hosting US-Soviet and US-Russian summits.