“I think the EU must be firm, and threatening a member state makes little sense,” she said. “Europe must remain united.”
Ribera lamented that the bonds Brussels and Washington have forged “over decades” are now being tested by “tones, behaviors and outbursts” the bloc never expected would characterize its relationship with a trusted partner like the United States.
“This ‘America First’ thing is worrying, because what it really means is ‘America Alone,'” she said, adding that while the EU is determined to avoid escalating tensions, it also refuses to be pushed around.
“We have to remain firm and defend our principles and our values,” Ribera said. “And we have to work to strengthen our capabilities so that we can reduce our dependence on the fronts we’ve identified over this past year.”