Transatlantic Unity at the Crossroads

Transatlantic Unity at the Crossroads

As a European, I was delighted with the election of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, a choice heralded as a step towards repairing the soul of America, marked by the return of decency, empathy, science, and truth. Biden’s victory signalled a return to responsible leadership, the rule of law, the independence of institutions, and a multilateral approach to issues like the pandemic, climate change, nuclear threats, terrorism, and inequality.

However, despite the initial applause, Biden’s election has only momentarily paused America’s downward spiral towards polarization and the corruption of government institutions. Trumpism remains undefeated. From a European perspective, Trump’s rise is just another example of the global trend of populists, as noted by Zeynep Tufekci, who warns that “America’s Next Authoritarian Will Be Much More Competent.”

In Europe, we face our own challenges with national populists like Geert Wilders, Thierry Baudet in the Netherlands, Marine Le Pen in France, Matteo Salvini in Italy, and Nigel Farage in the UK. Although their influence is limited, their rhetoric relies on oversimplification and scapegoating elites, with facts and truth often being the casualties.

The positions taken by Republicans in Congress over the past four years and during the transition of power are not comforting for Europe, indicating troubling times ahead. While there is a nostalgic desire to return to better times, as Heraclitus noted, “Nothing endures but change.” We can only hope that Biden can help America rediscover, reinvent, and reposition itself, addressing long-overdue investments in human capital, infrastructure, and good governance.

Yet, the divisions in American society, exacerbated by Trump, predate him and are deeply rooted. The polarization began in the 1990s and was intensified by the scorched-earth tactics in Congress under Newt Gingrich and later under Mitch McConnell. This has resulted in a dysfunctional Congress and a government paralyzed by gridlock, influenced by money and special interests.

Trumpism, described by sociologist Jeff Goodwin as a “contradictory, unstable amalgam,” will persist. The alarming behaviour of some Republican politicians, lacking integrity and moral compass, testifies to the rising authoritarianism within the party. These issues will likely resurface in 2024, possibly with a more intelligent and cunning figure than Trump, tapping into the authoritarian predispositions of the electorate.

From a European perspective, the past four years have been highly destructive. America’s friends in Europe have been insulted, multilateral alliances undermined, and a confrontational approach taken over cooperation. Sanctions, embargoes, and boycotts targeting China, Iran, and Europe have been globally divisive.

Biden’s election offers hope for repairing and renewing the Transatlantic alliance. However, it’s unrealistic to expect a full restoration of Transatlantic unity. The tone and atmosphere may improve, but the divide began before Trump, notably with George W. Bush’s pivot away from Western Europe towards the Middle East, leading to further erosion under Obama’s pivot to Asia.

Despite Obama’s popularity in Europe, his administration’s actions, including the reset with Russia and the cancellation of missile defense systems in Eastern Europe, strained relationships. Trump’s presidency further damaged Transatlantic cooperation, leading to disagreements on NATO, Nord Stream 2, WHO, climate change, trade, and relations with China.

While Biden can undo some of the damage, the question of permanency remains. U.S. global leadership has diminished, and its security commitments are questioned. Nonetheless, the new administration prioritizes democracy, freedom, human rights, and international law. The challenge lies in resisting the contempt for Western liberal democracy shared by Russia and China, which seek to undermine these values.

Europe must recognize that Russia favours a transactional relationship with individual states, aiming to pull Europe into its sphere of influence. China’s diplomatic approach has fragmented the EU’s stance towards it, with economic engagements and bilateral relationships creating divisions.

The EU needs a new framework to cooperate with China where possible, confront where necessary, and compete where feasible. Russia’s rejection of the U.S.-led liberal order and its desire for a weakened Transatlantic relationship pose significant challenges. The EU must consolidate, prioritize strategic interests, and move towards greater integration and autonomy, including a transfer of sovereignty to European institutions.

The EU should aim for political, monetary, and fiscal union to correct structural imbalances and avoid a return to nationalism. Despite Biden’s presidency offering a chance for dialogue and renewal, the EU must strive for greater autonomy in security, economics, and climate change.

This doesn’t mean severing ties with the U.S. but recognizing the need for self-reliance. European policies should ensure our defence without depending on foreign protection. President Macron’s call for European strategic autonomy highlights the need for a sovereign and earnest defence policy.

In conclusion, the EU-US relationship has always been complex and unbalanced, with fundamental cultural differences. A more balanced strategic framework is needed to strengthen this partnership, recognizing that Transatlantic disunity only benefits opponents of the liberal order. Europe must bolster its strategic autonomy and be prepared to defend its own security interests.

As noted by Wolfgang Schäuble and Heiko Maas, Europe must increase its defence spending and take greater responsibility for its security. Failure to do so risks leaving Europe vulnerable to future authoritarian threats, whether from within or across the Atlantic.

William J J Houtzager, January 2020

📌Blog Excerpt

Diatribe: European delight with Joe Biden’s election as U.S. President stems from a desire for responsible leadership and a return to multilateralism. However, Trumpism’s lingering influence and Europe’s own political challenges make a full restoration of transatlantic unity unlikely. The EU must prioritize its strategic interests and strive for greater autonomy in the face of shifting global dynamics.