21.03.2025 16:24
The Head of the Department of International Relations at Kocaeli University, Prof. Dr. İrfan Kaya Ülger, was a guest of Abdurrahman Yazıcı in the Haberler.com studio. In the program, where discussions between the USA and EU countries, particularly in the field of defense, were evaluated, Ülger stated that Trump would return to the idea of joint defense with Europe.
The US-EU rivalry has turned into a standoff. While the idea of self-defense is developing in Europe, the German parliament approved the 500 billion euro Great Defense and Infrastructure Fund created for defense, infrastructure, and climate protection. The developments between the parties were evaluated by Abdurrahman Yazıcı in the Haberler.com studio, together with his guest, Prof. Dr. İrfan Kaya Ülger, the Head of the Department of International Relations at Kocaeli University.
"I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE BREAK"
"Is there a crack in the Atlantic alliance? We need to talk a bit about that. I do not believe this is a comprehensive break. Differences in views emerged with the Trump administration. During his first term, Trump had told European leaders at a NATO meeting that defense spending should be raised to a minimum of 2%. Again, during Trump's first presidential term, there was a practice that strained relations between Europe and the US. Negotiations were being held for a free trade agreement between the two sides. Trump withdrew from these negotiations. If these negotiations had been completed, perhaps the promotion of investments and the volume of foreign trade between the two sides would have been at least twice as much as it is now, benefiting both sides.
"TRUMP WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO JOE BIDEN'S POLICIES"
"Is the US giving up on the security obligations of Europe? The first impression is this way, but when we look at the practice, actually, in the context of seeking a solution to the Ukraine war, the US is trying to ensure this: It is working to get the European partners of the Atlantic alliance to contribute more to defense spending. At the end of the day, in terms of Ukraine policy and NATO-European relations, I believe we will reach this point: The Trump administration will go for a compromise with the established structure. In other words, Trump will have to return to Joe Biden's policies."