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At the beginning of the invasion the US and the EU had formed a united front against Russia. But it seems that nine months of war in Ukraine were enough for it to start splitting.
According to Politico, top European officials are furious with Joe Biden's administration and are now accusing the Americans of "winning" the war, while at the same time EU countries are suffering.
Toxic statements against the US
The explosive comments - backed publicly and privately by officials, diplomats and ministers - complete the puzzle of growing anger in Europe over US subsidies that threaten to destroy European industry. On the other hand, the Kremlin is watching with extreme interest.
EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell has called on Washington to respond to European concerns. "The Americans - our friends - are making decisions that have an economic impact on us," he said in an interview with POLITICO."
Where the problem lies
The biggest point of tension in recent weeks has been Biden's green subsidies and taxes that Brussels says unfairly drive trade away from the EU and threaten to destroy European industries. Despite official objections from Europe, Washington has so far shown no signs of backing down.
At the same time, the turmoil caused by Putin's invasion of Ukraine is driving European economies into recession, with inflation soaring and a devastating squeeze on energy supplies threatening blackouts this winter.
Factors hurting the European economy
As they try to reduce their dependence on Russian energy, EU countries are turning to natural gas from the US - but the price Europeans pay is almost four times higher than the same fuel cost in America.
Then there is the potential increase in orders for US-made military equipment, as European armies face a shortfall after sending weapons to Ukraine. Ministers and diplomats have expressed frustration at the way the Biden administration is simply ignoring the impact of its domestic economic policies on European allies.
Biden's ignorance of European concerns
When EU leaders confronted Biden about high US gas prices at the G20 meeting in Bali last week, the US president appeared to simply ignore the issue, according to the senior official quoted above. Other EU officials and diplomats agreed that American ignorance about the implications for Europe was a big problem.
Despite the energy disagreements, once Washington announced a $369 billion industrial subsidy program to support green industries under the Inflation Reduction Act, Brussels went into full panic mode. "The inflation reduction law has changed everything," said an EU diplomat."
"Is Washington still our ally or not?"
The US is by far the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine, providing $15.2 billion worth of military equipment since the start of the war. The EU has provided €8 billion worth of military equipment to Ukraine, according to Borel.
According to a senior official, the replacement of some sophisticated weapons can take "years" because of problems in the supply chain and chip production. This has fuelled fears that the US defence industry could benefit even more from the war.
Gas discount demanded by Europeans
The Pentagon is already developing a roadmap to accelerate arms sales as pressure mounts from allies to meet greater demands for weapons and equipment.
Another EU diplomat said that since the US is making so much money from arms, it could ask for less money for gas supplies.
Source:in.gr
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