‘EU could be CRUSHED!’ Panicked Brussels chief Tajani reveals Trump and Putin ‘RISK’

In a shock interview, the Italian politician said the EU had lost some of its “identity and role” in recent years.

He also warned the EU could face a fight for its future amid outspoken criticism by both Washington and Moscow.

Mr Tajani said: “A few years ago, the European Union managed to be the bridge between the United States and Russia.

“But Europe now runs the risk of following Trump and Putin without having its own identity and role.

We need international prestige to avoid being crushed

Antonio Tajani

“We need international prestige to avoid being crushed.

“There is too much desire for dialogue between the US and Russia, and maybe China, and it is something that we can not accept.”

The Brussels chief also raised fears about the impact of the migrant crisis on the EU.

Speaking to an Italian radio station, Mr Tajani said the EU needed to stem the flow of migrants from Libya.

Antonio Tajani

Brussels chief Antonio Tajani said the EU could be ‘crushed’ (Image: GETTY)

He added: “This is an issue that can only be solved at a European level.

“Immigration has greater political implications than the economic crisis because it divides countries and creates social alarm.”

Italy has seen more than 650,000 migrants reach its shores since 2014, according to official figures.

But the numbers have dropped sharply over the past year, with Rome urging Tripoli to reduce the exodus from its shores.

Antonio Tajani

The Italian politician is worried about the EU’s future (Image: GETTY)

Mr Tajani also fired a warning to Theresa May to clarify the UK’s Brexit policy.

He said: “They should let us know what they want, as they change their mind every day.

“It is in their interest to reach an agreement with the EU.

“They do not have food self-sufficiency and they are missing the opportunity of the big commercial agreements that the EU is signing.”

Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Trump in Hamburg

Jean-Claude Juncker will meet Donald Trump at the White House (Image: GETTY)

His comments come as European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker prepares for a crunch meeting with Donald Trump.

Mr Juncker hopes his visit to the White House today will help ease escalating tensions with Washington over the EU’s trade policy.

Washington threatened to spark a trade war with Brussels last month by imposing tariffs on EU steel and aluminium.

Mr Trump recently branded the EU a “foe” of the US because the bloc applies high duties on American car imports.

Jean-Claude Juncker meets Trump and Putin

Juncker with Trump and Vladimir Putin at a recent G20 summit (Image: GETTY)

Ahead of the meeting, EU officials have dampened expectations about what Mr Juncker can achieve.

A Commission spokesman yesterday said: “I do not wish to enter into a discussion about mandates, offers because there are no offers.

“This is a discussion, it is a dialogue and it is an opportunity to talk and to stay engaged in dialogue.”

Meanwhile, Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas insisted Europe would “stick together” and not give in to Mr Trump’s threats.

Germany's Foreign Minister Heiko Maas

Heiko Maas said Europe would not be threatened by Washington (Image: GETTY)

Mr Maas said: “It is good that Jean-Claude Juncker will be in Washington tomorrow to talk and to seek a solution.

“But we are not heading to negotiations with a pistol at our chest. I don’t think threats bring us closer to a solution.

“We in Europe must stick together. I hope that we succeed in resolving this via consensus, but we will not be threatened and climb down so easily.

“In the end, all sides would lose, also the Americans. I hope the United States will realise this.”

Additional reporting by Maria Ortega