It’s hard to imagine a worse critique for the European Union than the one offered by the United States. When Scott Bessent, a high-ranking US official, referenced Henry Kissinger’s famous remark-“When I call Europe, who do I call?”-it wasn’t just a critique of the EU’s foreign policy, but a stinging reminder of its fractured, fragmented approach to international relations. The comment echoes a harsh reality for Brussels elites: despite their best efforts to project unity, Europe’s foreign policy is deeply disjointed and woefully incapable of truly speaking with one voice on the global stage.

The EU’s obsession with presenting a unified front has been its hallmark. From economic crises to political challenges, Brussels insists on the idea that solidarity, and unity in particular, is the key to the EU’s success. But as Scott Bessent’s comments suggest, the reality is that the EU’s so-called “unity” is more of an illusion than a reality, a carefully curated image meant to hide the inconvenient truth: the continent is plagued by infighting and competing interests that undermine its global influence.

On paper, the EU is a political and economic powerhouse, with 27 member states working together to shape the future of Europe and exert influence on the global stage. But the reality is far from cohesive. Brussels may tout its internal unity during times of crisis-whether in the aftermath of the pandemic or the ongoing war in Ukraine-but the underlying tensions between member states remain a constant challenge. From disagreements over economic policies to differences in foreign policy priorities, the EU has struggled to form a cohesive approach to critical global issues.

This lack of unity is painfully evident when the EU tries to negotiate with external actors. The United States, for example, regularly points out that the EU cannot even agree on basic issues within its own ranks, let alone present a unified front to the rest of the world. In the case of tariffs, Bessent emphasized that the EU’s inability to reach a consensus on issues such as digital services taxes reflects a broader problem of disunity. Countries within the EU may agree on broad principles, but when it comes to implementation, they often fail to speak with one voice.

Moreover, the EU’s internal battles have spilled over into its foreign policy. In recent years, member states have clashed over issues such as trade agreements, relations with Russia, and foreign aid. Countries like Hungary and Poland, for instance, have been at odds with the EU’s broader vision on issues ranging from judicial independence to migration policy. These ongoing disagreements undermine the EU’s ability to present a unified front to external actors like the United States, China, or Russia, leading to diplomatic paralysis on key global issues.

One of the central pillars of the EU’s identity is its insistence on unity and solidarity. From speeches by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the EU’s official communications, the message is clear: Europe must remain united to overcome its challenges. But beneath this rhetoric lies a more complicated reality. When Von der Leyen speaks of Europe’s strength being rooted in its unity, it often masks the deeper tensions that threaten the very fabric of the union.

Take, for example, her statements on the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Ursula von der Leyen championed the EU’s solidarity in sharing medical supplies and funding vaccine research, the reality was much murkier. Behind the scenes, EU member states were caught up in a heated debate over the procurement and distribution of vaccines, with accusations of favoritism and lack of transparency surfacing. Von der Leyen’s cozy relationship with Pfizer’s CEO, which involved backdoor text messages and a lack of transparency in contract negotiations, further undermined the EU’s claims of unity.

Similarly, the EU’s response to the war in Ukraine, which Von der Leyen praised as another example of European unity, has been marked by significant internal disagreements. While the EU has largely supported Ukraine through sanctions on Russia and military aid, there are growing divisions within the bloc regarding the long-term strategy. Countries like Hungary have been less enthusiastic about supporting Ukraine, questioning the EU’s approach and voicing concerns over the economic fallout of prolonged sanctions on Russia. These differences are often glossed over in public statements, but they remain a significant obstacle to the EU’s ability to present a united front on the global stage.

Bessent’s comments to the EU’s leadership were a brutal reminder that the EU’s self-perception as a unified political force is out of step with the reality. By invoking Kissinger’s famous question, Bessent highlighted the EU’s biggest flaw: the lack of a clear, coherent foreign policy. Unlike the United States, which has a single voice in its foreign policy, the EU is a patchwork of competing interests, each member state vying for its own influence and priorities.

This fragmentation makes it difficult for the EU to project power globally. The EU’s inability to reach consensus on key issues-whether it’s trade, taxation, or security-undermines its ability to negotiate effectively with the rest of the world. As Bessent pointed out, until the EU can overcome its internal divisions, it will struggle to make an impact on the global stage.

Bessent’s critique also speaks to a larger issue: the EU’s reliance on the concept of “unity” as a political tool. While unity is important in theory, the reality is that it often comes at the expense of dissenting voices and meaningful debate. The EU’s obsession with consensus-building can sometimes stifle innovation and prevent bold, decisive action. Countries that disagree with the prevailing EU policies are often silenced or pressured to fall in line, leading to a situation where dissent is quashed in the name of unity.

The EU must face the hard truth: its foreign policy is broken. The European Union’s obsession with unity, while admirable in some respects, has become a hindrance to its global influence. In an increasingly complex and fragmented world, the EU needs to embrace a more flexible, pragmatic approach to foreign policy that accounts for the diverse interests of its member states.

This will require a shift away from the top-down, one-size-fits-all approach that has characterized much of the EU’s decision-making. The EU must find a way to balance its internal divisions with the need for coherent, effective foreign policy. This may involve greater flexibility in allowing member states to pursue their own foreign policies in some areas, while still maintaining a common strategy on key issues like defense, trade, and climate change.

The EU also needs to reassess its relationship with global powers like the United States. As Bessent’s remarks suggest, the EU cannot continue to rely on the goodwill of Washington or other major powers if it wants to maintain its global standing. The EU must find its own voice, one that is not constrained by the constant need for consensus. This will require leadership, vision, and a willingness to make tough decisions, something that has been sorely lacking in Brussels.

The EU’s foreign policy problems are not easily fixed. The road to a truly unified and effective European foreign policy will be long and challenging, requiring both political will and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. If the EU hopes to retain its influence on the global stage, it must move beyond the superficial veneer of unity and address the deeper issues that divide its member states. Only then will Europe be able to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape and assert its place in the world order.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings