The German Eastern Business Association (Osteuropaverein der Deutschen Wirtschaft OAOEV) has decided to make the first step and warm up trade relations with the US. German businessmen have written a letter to Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi urging her and other influential members of the US Democratic Party to ease sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
"Joe Biden's victory holds a great promise to the German economy to revive the Transatlantic partnership," OAOEV representatives said. However, they seem to have completely forgotten that Joe Biden was against the construction of the gas pipeline long before Donald Trump came to power. Back in 2016 while serving as Vice President in the Obama administration, Mr. Biden strongly opposed the construction of the new gas pipeline. He considered it more a political move rather than a business project.
Moreover, Biden was the first who voiced concerns over Germany's energy dependence on Russia and the fact that the Kremlin would later use this pipeline as leverage in relations with the EU. Funny enough, on this matter, Biden fully agrees with Trump. He finds it strange that Germany is willing to buy Russian energy resources and thus only strengthening its dependence.
Nevertheless, German entrepreneurs believe that in 2021 the US will change its attitude to the project and lift sanctions against European companies involved in its construction. So far, the US has not made any comments regarding the letter.
