The EU considers breaking the rules and confiscating state and private assets normal to apply some political pressure on the opponent. They should expect US to do the same, because why not, especially under Trump. Given this, it's stupid to hold state's gold reserves in the US.
"apply some political pressure on the opponent" being applied to Russia for a military invasion of a neighboring country is very different than applying to the US, one of Germany's biggest allies and trading partners. I recognize that is changing, and I don't blame Germany at all for questioning whether it's a good idea to continue to hold their gold in the US, but the comparison to the EU seizing Russian assets after Russia launched a full scale invasion of a European country, is pretty specious.
O…K… I will expand on that, but you seem to be looking for a fight, so I’m not sure I’m going to enjoy this thread. Here we are:
It is surprising to me in a bad way that someone thinks the relationship between the US and the EU (who have traditionally been allies) has become so adversarial that someone would compare it to the relationship between Russia and the EU.
The comment was: the EU should expect the US to hammer them the same way they hammered Russia.
And my point was, that would be a significant course change because for the US & EU to be like Russia & EU would be a significant change.
Freezing and confiscating are very different things.
The EU have very deliberately avoided actually confiscating Russia's money. It is sill there, and (much to the annoyance of those who do want to actually confiscate it) Russia can have it back as soon as they stop their illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Closest the EU got to actually confiscating that money is, in fact, a loan such that if the peace agreement fails to include reparations then EU nations cover the loan but everyone's hoping Russia agrees to reparations so they don't need to.
