America’s rejection of transatlanticism will dramatically change Europe internally. Whether the continent will persist as an autonomous political entity now depends on Germany’s ability to preserve the spirit of cooperation that animated the European project when the United States was still on board.
BERLIN – Transatlanticism was finally laid to rest at this year’s Munich Security Conference, but whether Europeans got the memo remains unclear. In a rather embarrassing spectacle, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s polite but fully MAGA speech received standing ovations from some of those in the predominantly European audience. Clearly, Europe is still struggling – both emotionally and in policy terms – to accept that President Donald Trump has already broken the transatlantic alliance. Lost in a soothing state of denial, Europeans are failing to develop their own sense of identity, let alone a strategy for preserving their sovereignty in a dangerous new world.
BERLIN – Transatlanticism was finally laid to rest at this year’s Munich Security Conference, but whether Europeans got the memo remains unclear. In a rather embarrassing spectacle, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s polite but fully MAGA speech received standing ovations from some of those in the predominantly European audience. Clearly, Europe is still struggling – both emotionally and in policy terms – to accept that President Donald Trump has already broken the transatlantic alliance. Lost in a soothing state of denial, Europeans are failing to develop their own sense of identity, let alone a strategy for preserving their sovereignty in a dangerous new world.