Interview with Ambassador Gitenstein with Bloomberg
Ambassador Mark Gitenstein interviewed by Maria Tadeo – Bloomberg
Bloomberg: Yes, he is, because he is US Ambassador to the European Union: Mark Gitenstein. Thank you for staying with us. And watch this show, that’s a full disclaimer, we spend so much time debating the relationship between the United States and the European Union. Well, you’re the ambassador, how do you see that?
Ambassador Gitenstein: Well, I have the privilege of serving as US Ambassador to the EU, probably at the peak of EU-US relations for the last half century. And I think there are probably three reasons for that: A President Biden ran for election with the aim of rebuilding these relationships and all multilateral relationships, but especially the transatlantic relationship. Second, it makes a difference that we have a common enemy. Russia threatens the existence of transatlantic relations in both NATO and the EU. And third, I think it’s the statesmanship that has been demonstrated by leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, not only by President Biden, but also by Presidents von der Leyen and Michel, that has worked very closely with President Biden have. President Metsola also deserves credit for relations with the EU. And on the next level, Joseph Borrell, Tony Blinken and I have a very good relationship. And at the personal level of all these offices, we are in constant contact with each other. And I think we’re all on the same team.
Bloomberg: Mr Ambassador, and that has not always been the case. I remember a time when President Trump was, of course, President of the United States and, to put it bluntly, the relationship eventually broke down. There was very little communication. See, it’s working now, but there’s an election next year. So what will happen? It can go both ways.
Ambassador Gitenstein: Well, President Biden will win re-election.
Bloomberg: Oh, he’ll win the election?
Ambassador Gitenstein: Yes. You heard it here first.
Bloomberg: So you’re saying don’t worry, he’ll be re-elected?
Ambassador Gitenstein: I am confident that he will be re-elected. Regardless, we are building institutional relationships and making commitments that will serve us well for the next 50 years. I think we’re also building a new security structure, much like what happened under the Truman administration 80 years ago. It is driven by events. And I think on both sides of the Atlantic there is understanding and commitment to a new, renewed relationship.
Bloomberg: You talk about economic security. And of course that leads me, and you knew that, to China, where you talk about risk reduction. The European Commission two days ago further reiterated this idea of risk. Do you have the feeling that the Europeans have come closer to your assessment, or is it actually a matter of convergence?
Ambassador Gitenstein: I think the best thing to read about it would probably be Jake Sullivan’s speech at Brookings where he presents some sort of new economic strategy. I think that the economic security paper that the Commission has just published, this 14-page paper that is a starting point for the debate in the Commission on the European Union, describes risk reduction very aptly.
Bloomberg: which is?
Ambassador Gitenstein: This means acknowledging that secure supply chains and export controls and protecting national security are just as important as trade and that structures capable of protecting both must be built on both sides of the Atlantic. And I think we discussed it for hours between both sides. But in the end it is a sovereign decision of the United States and the European Union how to deal with it. I think this paper is a very good start. This was carried out by the European Commission. I didn’t see it until after it was released, but was pleased with what I saw.
Bloomberg: and this is your message? You say you are happy with what you saw. But I would also like to bring up the elephant in the room, which some people in Europe sometimes say, and you know that in Brussels it is very clear that China is not a western democratic country, that is clearly Europe for everyone to see. But at the same time, some would argue that the United States can also be confrontational, and they don’t want to be drawn into this. Is there a misconception of what you’re trying to do here? Is there a message to Europeans that you would like to send?
Ambassador Gitenstein: Europeans and Americans want to build an economy that serves the broader goals of climate change. The other existential threats, whether they come from Russia or China or whatever. This also benefits workers on both sides of the Atlantic, including a new industrial policy. And I think that’s what you see here.
Bloomberg: And the industrial policy, we – you of course, have the inflation reduction law. The head of the commission said she wanted to create something that would promote and protect “made in Europe”. They want to protect “made in America”. You want to do “made in Europe”, how is that compatible?
Ambassador Gitenstein: Well, because we both face the same threat.
Bloomberg: Don’t think trade tensions could return?
Ambassador Gitenstein: There are trade tensions, but that’s normal between two democratic systems and we need to level them out, and that’s what I mainly do professionally, trying to build consensus on both sides of the Atlantic on these very issues achieve. And as I liked it, someone asked me what my job was and I said, “It’s to prevent bad things from happening.” And it’s bad when we have a misunderstanding. There is no reason for misunderstanding, because our ultimate goals are the same.
Bloomberg: And may I ask you about von der Leyen in particular? Some say she is the EU official most compatible with the US. Not sure what US compliant means. But if you pick up the phone and say, “I want to talk to her, do you think she’s the person that would be the best match for you?”
Ambassador Gitenstein: I disagree. She is the sovereign head of a sovereign entity, and my job is to liaise with her and make sure that she and President Biden are on good terms, just as he was with President Michel. And I sat in a four-hour meeting with them on March 10th and was amazed at how well they got along. They communicate very well with each other. They have different interests because they represent different systems, but they manage to find common ground fairly easily. The same goes for President Michel. And the same is true between High Representative Borrell and the Secretary of State. I attended all of these meetings. And it’s amazing how much their common goals coincide.
Bloomberg: And this is once again clearly reflected, and the sound is clearly noticeable. Things have really changed for the better with this government. You can and I can see that-
Ambassador Gitenstein: That’s true, but part of it is that you have very talented leaders who listen to each other.
Bloomberg: So, then I come to my last question. If you believe President Biden will win the election, he will be re-elected. Will you be happy if Madame von der Leyen gets a new term on the Commission?
Ambassador Gitenstein: We have a great relationship.
Bloomberg: So, do you want to see this?
Ambassador Gitenstein: We have a great relationship and I’m not going to get into the fight over who to choose as their president, but continuity will be good in terms of the relationship, but that’s a decision for Europeans to make, not us.
Bloomberg: Well, Mr. Ambassador, thank you very much. By the way, is your life anything like the series on Netflix? Not in the UK-
Ambassador Gitenstein: This is not the case, by the way. I don’t fly around in a private plane. I have no one to choose my suits.
Bloomberg: You did it for yourself.
Ambassador Gitenstein: That should be clear.
Bloomberg: Thanks very much. We value your time. Hope to hear more from you here Bloomberg Television and this very important hour in European programming.
Ambassador Gitenstein: Well, you invite me back and I come.
Bloomberg: Well, thank you. Am grateful.
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