In turning down Europe's invite to the upcoming EU-US summit in May, Barack Obama has given Europe a chafing reminder of its own weaknesses. Under the Lisbon Treaty, which was supposed to give the world a single number to call in Europe, the numbers have proliferated, bemoans the press, which quite understands the White House's exasperation.

"After being outfaced by China at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen, should Europe resign itself to insignificance in the eyes of the US?" wonders Le Figaro, after Barack Obama sent his excuses for the EU-US summit slated for this May. One thing's for sure, quips the Wall Street Journal: "Things haven't been good recently for Europe's position on the world stage." So no wonder the US is "tired of the wrangling between European leaders, judging from the haughty tone of the American statement about cancelling Obama's attendance at the upcoming EU-US summit," opines the Süddeutsche Zeitung, adding that Washington makes any new bilateral summit contingent on Europeans' sorting out their respective responsibilities.