As the big G-20 summit tipped to be the launching pad for a new global economic order approaches, the countries of the G-20, particularly Europe and the United States, are taking the measure of one another. So how is the dialogue going so far?
According to Pierre Rousselin of France’s Le Figaro, even with President Obama, U.S.-Europe relations are no bed of roses, but at least people are acting professionally and dealing directly with the issues at hand.
In regard to the G-20 summit, Rousselin writes in part:
“The Americans are hearing the laments of Europeans, who reproach them for being at the root of the global banking crisis and not wanting to alter the rules of capitalism to prevent it from happening again. Obama and his advisors retort that their urgency is elsewhere and that above all, the economy must be revived before reform is addressed.”
“All this is taking place in an atmosphere of seriousness and professionalism. The new style that prevails in Washington was visible on the day Gordon Brown visited [the White House]. The British press was offended by the reserve shown by Barack Obama. There were no hugs or slaps on the back. The discussion lasted 45 minutes and there was no joint press conference. The American president obviously had a lot of work to do that day.”
Editorial by Pierre Rousselin
Translated By L. McKenzie Zeiss
March 12, 2009
France – Le Figaro – Original Article (French)
Between the United States and Europe, the dialogue has resumed. It’s a new genre of exchange not used during the eight years of President George W. Bush.
The fact is that speaking to one other more is good and doesn’t exclude divergences in opinion. And although President Obama is even more popular in Europe than he his at home, he wasn’t elected to offer gifts.
Emissaries are coming in quick succession and contacts are multiplying. The Americans are hearing the laments of Europeans, who reproach them for being at the root of the global banking crisis and not wanting to alter the rules of capitalism to prevent it from happening again. Obama and his advisors retort that their urgency is elsewhere and that above all, the economy must be revived before reform is addressed. Boasting of the $787 billion he is injecting into the American economy, the U.S. president denounces the timidity of Europe’s revival plan.
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