From WSJopinion: The trans-Atlantic alliance is in trouble if our friends abroad won’t confront China, writes BillGalston
The breach with the U.S. over policies in the Pacific goes even deeper. In a speech to the World Economic Forum in January, German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected a firm stance toward China, the emerging core of 21st-century American statecraft, endorsed by both U.S. political parties, which agree on little else. “I would very much wish to avoid the building of blocs,” she said.
Speaking to the Atlantic Council a month later, French President Emmanuel Macron called demands for European unity against China “counterproductive.” In case anyone missed the point, Mr. Macron’s finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, recently declared that: “The United States wants to confront China. The European Union wants to engage China.”
If the leaders of Europe’s two most powerful nations are serious about adopting a policy of neutrality in the growing struggle between the U.S. and China, there are bound to be negative consequences for trans-Atlantic relations. Meanwhile, China is playing a long game to increase its influence throughout Europe. State-owned Chinese firms hold substantial stakes in more than a dozen European ports. One of these firms enjoys operating control of the Greek port of Piraeus until at least 2052 and has invested nearly $1 billion to upgrade the port’s facilities.
Mr. Rasmussen criticizes the myopic mercantilism he sees at work in economic relations between Europe and China, and he warns Europe against the temptation to act as a balancing power between China and the U.S. In the battle for global pre-eminence, he concludes, Europe can’t stay on the sidelines without diminishing America’s commitment to the trans-Atlantic alliance. The sooner Europe’s leaders acknowledge that Mr. Rasmussen is right, the better.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Covid-19 booster shots: What you need to knowThe Food and Drug Administration is poised to dramatically expand the use of Covid-19 booster shots as soon as this week, after weeks of public debate over who needs the shots — and when
Read more »
Chinese movie about U.S. military defeat set to break box office recordsKorean War epic 'The Battle at Lake Changjin' recouped more than its $200 million production budget on its opening day this month.
Read more »
Adele claims biggest opening week of 2021 with comeback single Easy on MeAdele has beaten US pop star Olivia Rodrigo to bag the biggest opening week of 2021 so far with her record-breaking comeback single, Easy On Me
Read more »
FDA OKs mixing COVID vaccines; backs Moderna, J&J boostersWASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Wednesday signed off on extending COVID-19 boosters to Americans who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine and said anyone eligible for an extra dose can get a brand different from the one they received initially.
Read more »
U.S. tells Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine, stop cyberattacks on America and allies'U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering,' said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Read more »
Tesla price target upped to $900 at B. of A. SecuritiesAnalysts at B. of A. Securities on Tuesday tweaked their price target on Tesla Inc. undefined stock to $900, from $800, ahead of the electric-car maker's...
Read more »