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With the introduction of “shotgun” tariffs, US economic policy once again took a radical turn. As the boomer generation might report, the US has already turned the economic tide at least twice before (in its own interest or in the belief of doing so): The first time was when it abandoned the Bretton Woods system in 1971, and the second time with the introduction of ‘Reaganomics’ from 1981/82 onwards. The Europeans (like everyone else in the world) had to cope with the subsequent shocks. Surprise: the common European currency was also created to weather these economic storms. The euro is an important step for Europeans to free themselves from American dominance. Further steps towards liberation must follow, for example a savings and investment union.

In his article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on 14 March, Herfried Münkler argues for Europe's independence. Those who still cling to the dream of a united West must wake up quickly. In particular, German politics has made a fool of itself because ‘it has repeatedly backed the American horse’. The French proposals to Europeanise the armed forces and arms production to a greater extent have been rejected several times. Münkler's advice to German politicians: to hold Europe together, to ensure that it becomes a politically capable actor and to establish a European high command for the national armed forces. This should be made possible by ties of varying strength, with more extensive duties going hand in hand with greater rights. – INCLUDING BONUS MATERIAL!

What is the most important thing in life? Trust! And that is also the most important thing in politics and economics. After the latest antics of its president, US politics can no longer be trusted. We have never been able to trust the autocrats in Russia and China. So the EU is now becoming a beacon of democracy and the rule of law in which people around the world can place their trust. Europe's finest hour is now.

Inevitably, the Europeans are making noticeable progress in matters of common security and defence. This is something that many citizens have wanted for decades. However, naive illusions about the state of the world have prevented this, as have national inertia. Sad but true: ‘master strategist’ Putin and the political will-o'-the-wisp Trump are unintentionally but significantly helping to accelerate this development.

Europe is under enormous military, political and economic pressure. Precisely because the situation is difficult, there is also cause for hope. To overcome the current challenges, we need new ideas, such as the so-called ‘28th regime’ or the Europe-wide corporation EU Inc. for start-ups. A Europe-wide petition is currently running for this. The EU must deliver now, there will be no second chance.

On 9 September 2024, Mario Draghi (who needs no introduction) presented his report ‘The future of European competitiveness’. According to the report, the tasks ahead are'huge‘, and so are the financial requirements. To cover these, one of his proposals was the'issue of a common secure asset’. (The term EU bonds is not mentioned at this point). (1) This would also serve, according to Draghi, as a central building block for the development of an investment and savings union. And that is what the following is about.

Europeans' scientific and technical achievements are often monetised elsewhere. This not only leaves taxpayers and employees at a disadvantage – Europe's autonomy is also threatened. This must change as a matter of urgency, according to the European start-up associations and European stock exchanges, which are sounding the alarm in a joint statement.

"The choice comes down to whether we will be shaped by events and the world around us or whether we will come together and build our future for ourselves." (1) So said Ursula von der Leyen at the beginning of her speech on 18 July 2024, in which she applied for a second term as President of the European Commission. Taking the future into their own hands - this is exactly what a number of European banks and savings banks are doing with their European Payments Initiative (EPI). In offering the digital wallet wero, they want to provide a standardised solution for all payment transactions across Europe.

The European elections have left me somewhat perplexed. I have been thinking about this since 9 June. There are many reasons for the electoral success of populist-authoritarian parties. The following reflections - with a view to Germany - are about the responsibility of the parties and the individual in a democracy.

Sometimes the most interesting things happen right under our noses and we don't realise it. Or do you remember the Conference on the Future of the EU? It ended almost exactly two years ago, on 9 May 2022, and thousands of citizens were involved. What were the results, were they realised - and what can we learn from it?