Former Swedish Prime Minister raises concerns over shifting US-Europe relations under Trump

Former Swedish Prime Minister John Fredrik Reinfeldt has expressed strong concerns over the shifting dynamics between Europe and the United States under President Donald Trump. 

In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Sweden on Tuesday, Reinfeldt criticized the Trump administration's confrontational approach toward Europe, noting that it has dramatically strained long-standing transatlantic alliances.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he had agreed to delay the planned 50 percent tariff on imports from the European Union until July 9. Earlier, on Friday, Trump had stated that negotiations with the 27-member bloc were "going nowhere," warning that he would impose the tariff on all EU imports starting June 1.

Reinfeldt was sharply critical of this development, describing it as a "shocking shift" in U.S. foreign policy.

"It's a shocking shift that we have seen in the White House with Donald Trump coming in, mocking and bullying old friends in Europe. And this is not the direction we would like to see in Europe. We do not agree to this concept that we should be against interests of the United States or something like that. On the contrary, we have built a close cooperation over the Atlantic Ocean, which brings us back to Second World War," he said.

Reinfeldt emphasized that Europe must now focus on greater unity and strength, especially in the face of rising global tensions. 

"Europe now is coming together, focusing on creating a stronger Euro based on deeper cooperation in Europe, and those parts in the world who would like to take care of a rules-based cooperation together with Europe and not to be as reliant as we have been on the United States,”he said.

The former prime minister also addressed the ongoing U.S. trade war with China, which has become a focal point of the Trump administration's foreign policy. 

"China is, of course, the main target for a lot of the criticism coming out of the United States. It's a kind of threat they feel. It relates to the fact that China is much more strong economically and politically now than they've been during my lifetime," he said.

Reinfeldt, however, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of tariffs, calling them outdated and counterproductive. 

"Tariffs, building world trade, we disbelieve that we think these are 300-year-old ideas already proven not to work," he said.

Reinfeldt emphasized bridge-building through mutual respect and curiosity – values, he believes, are essential in the increasingly divided world.

"I would say that differences should be met with curiosity, we've been met with being a little bit more humble, learn more about what is not used yourself, what is not exactly with the same views as yourself, to try to show respect and also kind of a more friendly way of interacting with each other," he said.

Former Swedish Prime Minister raises concerns over shifting US-Europe relations under Trump

A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.

The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.

Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.

Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.

Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.

Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.

"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.

Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.

The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.

Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.

"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.

The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.

"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.

US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building