Executive Summary
- European Council President António Costa stressed the EU must intensify defence efforts for strategic autonomy and implement competitiveness reports, despite diverse member state views.
- Costa defended the EU-US trade deal with President Trump, asserting that its capped tariffs on European goods represented the best possible negotiation outcome.
- Costa welcomed the US-backed Gaza peace plan, reiterated EU support for a two-state solution and the Palestinian Authority, and praised Germany’s move towards an arms embargo on Israel, while rejecting Hamas’s role in Gaza’s future government.
The Story So Far
- The European Union is actively pursuing strategic autonomy through strengthened defense and security capabilities, and is focused on enhancing its competitiveness, providing the core context for President António Costa’s discussions on managing contemporary crises. His comments also address the recently concluded and scrutinized EU-US trade deal with President Donald Trump, and the complex situation in the Middle East following a new US-backed peace plan for Gaza and Germany’s move towards an arms embargo on Israel, reflecting the multifaceted challenges and priorities currently facing the bloc.
Why This Matters
- The European Union is signaling a strategic shift towards greater self-reliance by prioritizing enhanced defense capabilities and strategic autonomy, while also adopting a pragmatic stance on transatlantic trade relations, evidenced by the defense of the EU-US deal with President Trump. Concurrently, the EU is aligning with a US-backed peace plan for Gaza, supporting a two-state solution, and views Germany’s arms embargo on Israel as a significant response to current Israeli policies, potentially indicating an evolving European foreign policy approach in the Middle East.
Who Thinks What?
- European Council President António Costa believes the European Union is capable of managing contemporary crises but must strengthen its defense capabilities to achieve strategic autonomy.
- António Costa defends the EU-US trade deal with President Trump, asserting that it achieved the best possible outcome compared to any other negotiation.
- António Costa welcomes the US-backed peace plan for Gaza, supports a two-state solution without Hamas, and praises Germany’s decision to move towards an arms embargo on Israel due to what he calls Prime Minister Netanyahu’s “unbearable” policies.
European Council President António Costa stated on Wednesday that the European Union is well-equipped to manage contemporary crises but must intensify its defence efforts to achieve strategic autonomy. Speaking to the Spanish press in Madrid in an interview with El País ahead of an informal European Council in Copenhagen, Costa also defended the EU-US trade deal with President Donald Trump and offered his perspective on the recent US-backed peace plan for Gaza and Germany’s stance on Israel.
EU Priorities and Strategic Autonomy
Costa highlighted two critical priorities for the EU: implementing the recommendations from the Letta and Draghi reports on European competitiveness, and significantly strengthening defence and security capabilities. The former Portuguese prime minister acknowledged the diverse viewpoints among the 27 member states, stating, “There are 27 countries – 27 perspectives. It is normal to arrive with different points of view; the important thing is to leave with a clear path forward.”
Trade and Transatlantic Relations
The Council chief defended the EU-US trade deal struck earlier this year with President Trump, which capped tariffs on European goods at 15%. When questioned whether Brussels should have adopted a tougher negotiation stance, Costa dismissed the criticism. He argued, “The bottom line is the result. And no one has achieved a better result.”
Middle East Peace Efforts
Costa welcomed the US-backed peace plan for Gaza announced on Monday, emphasizing that “the key now is for all parties to give peace a chance.” He reiterated the EU’s support for the Palestinian Authority and its president, Mahmoud Abbas, towards a two-state solution, while also stating that “there is no place for Hamas in the future government of Gaza.” Furthermore, Costa praised Germany’s decision to move towards an arms embargo on Israel, describing it as evidence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “unbearable” policies, adding that “Germany has been unable to remain impassive.”
Social Democracy in Europe
Despite a perceived rightward political shift across Europe, Costa maintained that social democracy “remains relevant,” citing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as an example of resilience. However, Sánchez’s government has recently been linked to several high-profile corruption probes involving former cabinet members, his inner circle, and potentially himself, which could threaten the stability of Spain’s Socialist-led coalition.
Reflecting on Leadership
When asked about his relatively low public profile since assuming his current office, Costa concluded his remarks by stating, “Politics is about solving problems, not about whether António Costa’s voice is heard or not.”
