EU defies Donald Trump by trading with Iran via a back channel
The channel is wanted so the EU can adopt tools that allow it to pursue its foreign-policy goals with less recourse to an unpredictable US ally
Brussels — EU countries will set up a mechanism to allow “legitimate” business to continue with Iran, a plan aimed at sidestepping sanctions and bolstering Europe’s independence from the US as President Donald Trump pursues his “America First” agenda. The push for such a channel, announced by EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini in New York late on Monday, reflects growing calls in countries such as France and Germany for the EU to adopt tools that will allow it to pursue its foreign-policy goals with less recourse to an unpredictable US ally. A chief catalyst was Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal even as world powers urged the US to stick to its mandate. “In practical terms, this means that EU member states will set up a legal entity to facilitate legitimate financial transactions with Iran, and this will allow European companies to continue trade with Iran,” Mogherini said after meeting with representatives of the other signatories: the UK, France, Ger...
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