Summary
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the EU’s vision as a global economic leader during the World Economic Forum, contrasting Trump’s “America First” policies.
She highlighted Europe’s advantages, including its large single market, social infrastructure, and commitment to the Paris climate accord, while emphasizing new alliances with Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Avoiding direct criticism of Trump, von der Leyen underscored the EU’s stability and rules-based approach.
Her speech signaled a pivot away from U.S.-centric relations and a focus on global trade diversification.
Things are bad here too. As a US citizen you will be paying tax twice if you work here, you’ll never quite fully feel at home for about 8 years, and (most importantly) you’ll miss the cultural banter you grew up with.
US isn’t a country, it’s practically a continent. There are plenty of places to knuckle through the next few years, but I’m telling you now - Europe isn’t the safe haven you think it is.
If you work in a country the US considers friendly then you can deduct some large amount from your foreign salary before you pay taxes to be the US (like $90k or so?). If you make more than that you can deduct the foreign taxes paid from the remainder. Since taxes are higher in most European countries, you don’t end up paying tax twice (Switzerland has lower taxes I think, and maybe others).
I’m not looking for a safe haven; did the Ukraine question not make that clear? I am looking to contribute my mental labor to a country with a functioning social contract. I put a lot of time and work into this degree to escape the anti-intellectualism of rural Midwest USA, but it appears the anti-intellectualism made it out before I did so now I must look further afield.
I hope you find what you’re looking for then