Vučić from Davos: Political divorce between EU and U.S. is permanent; I expect a strong response from Trump

Vučić said that he cannot speak about certain important matters until tomorrow at 3 p.m., but emphasized that the Serbian delegation in Davos listened to Ursula von der Leyen and the Chinese delegation.

According to him, the President of the European Commission clearly expressed today, at the opening of the World Economic Forum, the desire to establish the EU’s full political and economic independence.

“What did Ursula want to emphasize? From her speech, it is clear—she repeated it twice, at the beginning and at the end, placing special emphasis on it—that the so-called political divorce between America and the EU is permanent. She twice reiterated the desire to establish the European Union’s full political and economic independence, speaking about the importance of enlargement to Ukraine and the importance of the closest possible cooperation, and I would not rule out in the future the possibility of Norway and Iceland joining the European Union, as well as the closest possible cooperation with Canada and the United Kingdom,” Vučić told reporters after the official opening of the forum in Davos.

After the speech by the head of the European Commission, Vučić said that he had already had the opportunity to discuss and analyze what von der Leyen conveyed at the opening with, as he put it, one of the most important figures in global political analysis, the American Ian Bremmer.

“It seems to me that we share 80 to 90 percent of the views and positions regarding what she said and the consequences of what the head of the European Commission stated. If you ask me, someone put that speech together intelligently, but intelligent drafting of a speech has nothing to do with the consequences and with everything that is going to happen,” Vučić said.

As he said, von der Leyen used three words when speaking about U.S. sanctions, or tariffs, calling them a major mistake.

“She said their response would be proportional, unwavering—I believe that was the word she used, if I’m not mistaken—and third, that they would be united in that response as the European Union. This opens up many other questions. She spoke about countering such a policy through new free trade agreements, such as between the European Union and Mercosur (South America), about trying to expand this to Mexico, and about working on agreements with Indonesia, the Philippines, the UAE, and of course the ‘mother of all agreements’ she expects to conclude next week in India—a free trade agreement,” Vučić said.

“I expect a strong response from Trump”

“What are the consequences for us? She also spoke, of course, about the advancement of the defense industry, about massive investments, huge investments in energy, and all the consequences that entails for us,” Vučić said.

He added that he expects a very strong speech by President Donald Trump tomorrow, as he put it, in the opposite direction from what was heard today. There will be spillover effects on everyone, Vučić emphasized.

He also said that he spoke with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, noting that she is always helpful to Serbia.

“I have to be honest—she is from Bulgaria, of course, works in Washington, and is always ready to help. At the beginning of February we will have an important conversation with her to assist us with additional projections. She believes that an agreement between Europe and America will not be reached tomorrow or the day after. That is, I can’t say she doesn’t believe it—she hopes for it, but she is not certain it will be achieved, and I do not believe it will be achieved,” Vučić said.

The President of Serbia stressed that a period lies ahead in which we must see how we will relate to Europe and how to America.

“Many, many problems. The world is heading in a crazy direction, but we must preserve peace and the economy,” Vučić said, emphasizing that the public should be told the direction in which things are moving—and, he added, they are not moving in a good direction.

Answering journalists’ questions, he explained that what the President of the European Commission said means that things will never return to the way they were.

“What I see is that Europe will move straight ahead, but my conclusion is that the EU is not ready to militarily defend Greenland,” Vučić said.

“The world is breaking apart and will never be the same again. Look at Dugin’s statement, where the sovereignty of small countries will be denied—they will either belong to a bloc or not—and we want to preserve our sovereignty. It is important that we talk to everyone,” Vučić emphasized.

Chaos in Davos because of Trump

He described that chaos already prevails in Davos, with massive traffic congestion and overcrowded halls where the economic forum is being held.

However, he said that a complete collapse is expected tomorrow due to the arrival of the U.S. delegation and President Donald Trump.

Vučić noted that this time Trump is bringing the largest delegation so far, which will fill all the seats in the hall where the speeches are held.

“I think I will be the only Serb there,” Vučić said.