The EU election continues to shape the debate. But how much do our politicians really talk about the EU - in relation to how much the EU affects us? At the same time, the trade war between the United States and China is escalating, with continued ignorance on the part of the United States regarding the climate issue. Which in turn leads to a changed security situation in our world.
The debate from last week has, of course, been marked by the EU election. What becomes most interesting is when the issues discussed this week push towards a defense and security focus. This was of course diluted by the fact that the cross-party defense agreement encountered a patrol. The former alliance parties left the agreement on how the Swedish defense should be developed and the Social Democrats could not later support the budget.
Sydsvenskan points out in its leader that 23 percent of voters point to the climate and environmental issue as the most central in the EU election. Something that also has a strong security link as a changed climate risks completely changing relations between our countries, globally.
Around the relationship between the United States and China, there has been a real storm this week due to the escalating situation in the so-called "Trade War" that is going on between them. During this week's Arctic Council meeting, Mike Pompeo (US Secretary of State) gave a long speech in which he managed to avoid not even mentioning the climate issue once. On the other hand, he emphasized that the melting ice of the Arctic could open up new opportunities for, among other things, trade, where new transport routes can be made possible, writes Sydsvenskan.
"The real stumbling block is that President Xi Jinping does not intend to abandon his state-capitalist economic model," writes Gunnar Jonsson in his editorial for Dagens Nyheter. This, combined with the fact that the usually so free trade-promoting American business community now has a president who loves tariffs, makes the whole thing very complex. Ideological differences also tend to be difficult to overcome.
Claes Arvidsson writes in his editorial that it is a pity that our politicians spend so little time talking about the EU, as our everyday life is largely characterized by EU decisions. In the context of an escalating situation regarding trade and customs, cohesion is becoming increasingly central. According to opinion polls, Swedes are more interested than ever in being EU members, something that may have a connection to the Brexit crisis, says Arvidsson. However, it can be difficult to keep up with the turns because the debate is unclear and difficult to understand, says Ylva Nilsson. Not even she, who calls herself an "EU nerd", feels completely clear about what the parties actually want to achieve.
Peter Hjörne believes that right-wing extremism continues to be the focus of the debate, despite the fact that voters have clearly stated that they are more interested in the climate, migration and the role of the EU. In addition, it is not entirely unlikely that Trump will also impose tariffs on the EU. The EU, which has one of the most important roles in global free trade, risks further turbulence in light of this, Janerik Larsson emphasizes. As always, sticking together and agreeing seems to be the recipe for success, but the transition from theory to practice is, to say the least, complicated.
trade War
"High stakes on the world economy"
Janerik Larsson, Svenska Dagbladet
"Trade peace does not end US-China system conflict"
Gunnar Jonsson, Dagens Nyheter
EU elections
"But what is it about !?"
Peter Hjörne, Gothenburg Post
"Even we EU nerds get mad at the election campaign"
Ylva Nilsson, Aftonbladet
"Europe Day is a reminder to go and vote"
Claes Arvidsson, Svenska Dagbladet
“The climate is heaviest. Whatever Pompeo and Åkesson say. ”
Leader, Sydsvenskan
The defense
"S as in security risk"
Olof Ehrenkrona, Svenska Dagbladet
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