Joe Biden: Expert on ‘dangerous’ repositioning in Middle East
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In his speech on Friday, Mr Biden did not reference the project but issued a warning over Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking at the conference on Friday, the US President said: “Putin seeks to weaken the European project and our NATO alliance. “He wants to undermine the transatlantic unity, and our resolve, because it’s so much easier for the Kremlin to bully and threaten individual states than it is to negotiate with a strong and closely united transatlantic community.
“That’s why standing up for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine remains a vital concern for Europe and the United States.”
The controversial oil pipeline is set to span between Russia and Western Europe and has been backed by the German government.
At a briefing just a week after Joe Biden took office, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the US President “continues to believe that Nord Stream 2 is a bad deal for Europe.”
However, US senators are pressuring the President to hit the project with sanctions due to Russia’s involvement.
Republican Senator Jim Risch said in a statement last week: “I am deeply troubled and disappointed by the State Department’s report on Nord Stream 2 activities and their decision to forgo additional sanctions on other entities involved in its construction.”
Indeed, even Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: “Nord Stream 2 bad deal because it divides Europe, it exposes Ukraine and Central Europe to Russia — Russian manipulation, and because it goes against Europe’s own stated energy and security goals.”
Although Mr Biden is more pro-EU than his predecessor, relations with the bloc remain unclear.
In December, the EU signed an investment deal with China despite concern over the state’s alleged human rights violations concerning Uighur Muslims.
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Washington had asked Brussels to delay signing the agreement before Mr Biden’s inauguration in January.
The US and EU have also been locked in trade war over subsidies between Airbus and US rival, Boeing.
In 2019 the World Trade Organisation ruled the US could impose tariffs on aircraft manufacturing parts from Germany and France.
In retaliation, the EU imposed tariffs on Boeing after being supported by the WTO.
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Without being resolved, the US moved in December last year to impose further tariffs on sparkling wine, cognac and other grape brandies.
Although US President has entered office, little has been done to resolve the long feud between Boeing and Airbus.
Mr Biden has also pushed businesses to buy American products in a severe blow to Brussels.
Due to this, the EU is concerned the US may break certain trade obligations and commitments.
Europe’s trade chief, Valdis Dombrovskis said: “We will be assessing to which extent the US complies with its World Trade Organization commitments under the global procurement agreement.
“As regards Buy American, this is something which will require some more in-depth assessment, what are the exact implications, what are the implications for EU companies, what does it mean for US commitments in the WTO framework.”
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