The EU has to explain a lot since it agreed to buy energy for a gigantic sum on Sunday. Trump probably fits the announcement into the concept.
They had barely withdrawn for the negotiation, since EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump are already in front of the cameras on Sunday. The agreement is there. It is the moment of the first messages that will shape the news about the deal.
Trump has a note in his hand. As the first detail, he mentions: “The European Union will be ready to buy energy worth $ 750 billion from the USA.” For security, he repeats this sum again.
It is a number that sounds impressive, but also raises questions. Does the commission president even have the power to make such a promise? Why does the EU want to spend so much money on fossil fuels? Had called out the way to climate neutrality from the Leyen as Europe’s “man on the moon” moment.
A melodious success report for Trump
In the meantime, the impression is increasing that Trump was given the opportunity on Sunday to announce a success for success for him. In the substance, the $ 750 billion is more a promise than an obligation.
Shortly before departure from Scotland, from Leyen said on this topic: one wanted to get away from fossil energy from Russia. Therefore, it is good to buy more affordable and better liquid gas from the USA. The estimate is that you can get 250 billion a year. Over three years. That corresponds to the rest of the term of trump.
Energy from the USA every year for 250 billion? Even the sheer amount of fossil energy that the EU would have to buy appears unrealistic. In 2024 this was worth $ 76 billion. That would have to triple now.
Arturo Regalado, analyst at the data provider Kpler, said the Reuters news agency: “Either US oil exports would have to be completely redirected to the EU or the value of LNG imports from the USA would have to change.”
“We cannot force companies to do anything”
And so the EU Commission also has to answer a lot of questions on this topic two days after setting in Scotland. In her daily press conference, she provides details that make the picture a little clearer. To prepare for the negotiation, the EU Commission interviewed companies about their plans and intentions: What do they want to buy or invest in the USA? Of course, it says, commission spokesman Olof Gill, the Commission cannot dictate what happens in the end: “We cannot enforce it. We cannot force companies to do anything.”
How are the $ 250 billion together a year? The EU Commission speaks of an “estimated average” of all EU energy imports from the USA. It was incorporated: First, the current imports of US liquid gas, oil, nuclear fuel and corresponding services. According to commission information, this is already between 90 and $ 100 billion. Second: Additional amount of these products. Third: Central technology exports and investments, especially in nuclear power. Projects with nuclear power are currently under discussion in several EU countries. In most cases, technology from US companies would be used. If everything were realized, according to the EU Commission, it would be around $ 300 billion in total.
Anna-Kaisa ITKONEN, spokeswoman for energy, says that the numbers should not be read as if fossil fuels are bought for 250 billion euros a year: “No. This is not correct.”
How well did Trump know the details himself?
The bottom line is that Trump’s statement is that the EU agreed to buy energy worth $ 750 billion. Regardless of whether the US president was aware of the details and details, in his communication – also home – the success report announced by it was fitted.
It reminds a little of another deal. In 2018, the then EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker Donald Trump paid Donald Trump from a trade war during his first term. Among other things, he had promised that the EU would buy more soybeans and liquefied gas. Niclas Poitiers from the Bruegel research institute says in an interview with the ARD-Studio Brussels: “But like now, these were pure declarations of intent, significant steps did not follow this.”
Working: Laura-Charlotte Costan and Lea Hillebrand, ARD studio Brussels
