Economic exchange between the European Union and the United States is mutually beneficial, said Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski at the East x West Forum conference in Wrocław. The head of Polish diplomacy also referred to the issue of digital tax, which – as he pointed out in the context of large profits – seems necessary.
The repolonization announced by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, but also the discussed digital tax and the ongoing customs war – all these issues are related to the new administration in Washington and, above all, the world that is changing extremely dynamically.
Sikorski: Europe must go through an accelerated maturation period
The digital tax is one of the key points of dispute between the Old Continent and the Donald Trump administration. According to Radosław Sikorski, this tax is an element of the European Commission's reflection in the context of American customs and requires rational discussion, especially since many countries have already introduced such a tax.
Gigantic flows of goods, services, and investments. And of course, if something is not broken, we should not break it. And in this context I propose to consider this matter. But of course, taxes on large profits are needed to maintain the infrastructure that makes these profits possible.
Trump must learn to understand Russia and Europe
Every American administration learns Russia and Europe anew, said Radosław Sikorski. The MFA chief pointed out that in order to compete with China, it is better to have allies than not to have them.
– I hope that sooner or later our allies will see that Europe has its flaws, but when push comes to shove, it is useful.
Europe, according to Sikorski, is necessary to control the flow of technology and to protect it from falling into hostile hands, and a revision of American policy in this matter will come sooner or later. According to Sikorski, this is already noticeable today: “JD Vance said he loves us.”
The Chinese were better prepared for this war
Beijing has definitely prepared and calculated its possibilities better, assessed Radosław Sikorski, who also indicated that he is concerned about the current situation on the markets.
– I'm afraid of signals from the market. I'm afraid that this time the safe haven is not the dollar, but gold and what it could mean for the dollar. Here, tensions are reaching a critical point.
This may be a chance, however. The Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out that if something were to happen to the dollar, we would have to make sure that the euro replaces it.
Alexander the Gardener
