Europe is Divided on Anti-China Stance

The U.S. launched Marshal Program after World War II (WWII) and developed the war-torn Infrastructure in Western Europe. In return, gained many concessions and favors in terms of economic & political benefits and emerged a global leader. Some of the agreements with European countries were merely one-sided and only in U.S. favors. The defeated nations in WWII were left with no option except to sign the unilateral agreements.

On the one hand, the U.S. was beneficiary of Europe and, on the other hand, was coercing them from time to time. Especially during the President Trump era, most European nations were insulted or humiliated. The mess he has created, President Joe might take actions to rectify.

Unfortunately, President Joe Biden’s approach toward China is not conceived by most Europeans. However, President Joe Biden is a well-mannered person and seasoned politician. He may not use rough and undiplomatic language about China. But his policies to contain China, Counter China, and resist the rise of China is the same or even more strict.

President Trump has hurt the U.S. politically, and COVID has hurt the U.S. economically. The U.S. has lost its place as a global leader. Its economy may not support its defense, especially the lavish budget, for over-seas military actions and bases may not sustain for too long.

President Joe Biden is still in the Cold War era’s mindset and trying to make alliances against China and Russia. However, the World suffered due to the cold war, especially because some of the European nations were the Cold War victims. They might not favor the initiation of any cold-war and may not join any alliance against any country.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the “cold war of alliance” is a new diplomacy formulation type since the Biden administration of the United States came to power. It is “the starkest expression that one country opposes the rise of another country.” Germany considers that China has the right to rise. The United States has no right to coerce other European countries into compliance with the “selfishness” practice of serving the United States. She has criticized the US Biden administration for “forming gangs” against China. The “cold war alliance” act enlightened European countries and the World why Germany insisted on this position. She made it clear that Germany will not participate in any US-led behavior aimed at “encirclement and suppression” China. She also recommends other countries not to join in this “hegemonic” behavior! Because it will fetch no other benefits besides harming European unity and world economic recovery!

She said that the new U.S. Secretary of State Blincoln unabashedly issued new threats and sanctions against China in Washington. At the same time, he harshly criticized Europe and should not sign an investment agreement with China behind its back. Great disgust, anxiety, and restlessness in Europe.

The Spanish government spokesperson has confidence that the Cold War is a “collective political terror remembrance” of European countries in the 21st century. The statement made by German Chancellor Merkel imitates the most valid concerns of European countries. And the speech of the new U.S. Secretary of State Blincoln has aggravated European countries’ great fears about a new cold war in the World.

The French government’s deputy prime minister, Jean Benneck, said at a diplomatic video conference in Paris on Wednesday (27th Jan. 2021), “The French government backings this view of Germany. In today’s World, where the epidemic is wild, encircle China. Not beneficial. The Trump administration’s trade war has severely disturbed the supply chain of international economic production. It poses the sternest threat to the economic recovery of European countries.”

The Swiss “Davos Tribune” stated that the US Biden administration’s “cold war” assertion was an irresponsible and irresponsible “tyrant.” It seriously threatened Europe’s political and economic security and severely weakened the internal unity of Europe and the United States. Certainly, the Biden government’s request that other European countries “choose sides” has sternly torn the country apart. In this regard, he is no different from the “selfishness” of the Trump administration!

Generally speaking, Western European countries and public opinion coincide with German Chancellor Merkel’s speech’s position and viewpoint. However, the former Soviet Union allied countries in Eastern Europe oppose it.

However, this is a time when unity is desired, as the World is passing through toughest time in the history of mankind. Challenges posed are severe like Pandemic,  global economy, political divides, and disasters of all kinds, etc. It requires collective efforts to resolve the severe difficulties being faced. Any divide or aggravating more challenges may not be welcomed.

Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, Advisor, Consultant to Global South Economic and Trade Cooperation Research Center, and Non-Resident Fellow of CCG. (E-mail: awanzamir[at]yahoo.com).