I notice with a certain sense of regret that far too many Europeans are returning to a regional and national mindset.

The position of EU commissioner for economic and monetary affairs could be combined with the office of Euro Group chairman. That job would be a great challenge for anyone who assumed it. On the one hand, he would have to make proposals. On the other hand, he would have to negotiate compromises with his European counterparts.

I'm not deaf and the Commission isn't operating in a parallel world of legal texts.

Trump is a partner for us who cannot be easily categorized. Putting it in the noblest way possible, his understanding of politics is a little different from ours here in Europe. The way he acts forces us Europeans to take on a new responsibility. We are not standing with our backs up against the wall, but, to put it as pithily as the German chancellor has: We can no longer rely on the U.S. the way we could in the past.

I am chilled by the realization of how similar circumstances in Europe in 2013 are to those of 100 years ago.

The Luxembourg financial centre is based on several pillars, we are characterised by the breadth of our product range, we are an active participant in the international credit business.

We do not attract Russian money to Luxembourg with high interest rates.