G7: Listen to Yogi Berra

Commenting on the G7 summit taking place in Taormina, European Green Party co-chairs Reinhard Bütikofer and Monica Frassoni said:

“Of all the topics that the G7 has on its agenda, the most consequential one is on economic environmental and social sustainability and the reduction of inequality. This is the core challenge of the development of all participating countries and many beyond.

“There is little expectation that the American President will be willing to share a constructive approach in this regard. The European participants however should not allow Donald Trump to intimidate and dominate everybody else. Nobody should forget that the policy of the Trump administration does not represent the views of the majority of the American people. From California to New York, there are many partners for an ambitious effort to build a sustainable future. If President Trump prevents meaningful shared conclusions from the G7 summit, the other participants should let him know that they find his views less interesting and should move on.

“This would be a good opportunity for more European leadership. President Macron as the most recently elected member of this exquisite club and chancellor Merkel as the member with the most seniority, should pick up the ball and run with it. Or, as Yogi Berra, the baseball philosopher would have said: ‘if you get to a fork in the road: take it!’”

Brussels, 26 May 2017