Proposals for a new world after the pandemic January 8, 16:33
Some people predict that a new world will begin after a pandemic.
Mr. Jacques Attali of France, who is known as the "giant of knowledge" and the "shadow leader" of the establishment of the EU = European Union.
What is the new world that Atari thinks about?
And how is Europe trying to confront a new era?
(Jun Takao, Director General of Europe)
In 2021, to a new world
Europe celebrated the 2021 New Year as Britain finally withdrew from the EU and the new coronavirus raged.
While Atari believes the infection will not subside soon, he has a surprisingly bright outlook for Europe's future.
Jacques Attali
"I think the EU has taken the best possible response to the corona crisis. Of course, the hardships will continue for the foreseeable future. It will be a few months before the vaccine reaches people. It will take, but I believe that overcoming this hardship will bring us a good year, a year of hope and a year of success. "
Lessons learned from "America of Trump"
Behind Atari's bright outlook for the EU is that the often dysfunctional EU has begun to make the transition, learning from President Trump's four years.
Western relations during the Trump era were the worst after the war.
President Trump, who advocates "home country first", has imposed high tariffs on the EU to eliminate the trade deficit, and continues to criticize NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization for not paying sufficient defense costs. I have come.
Not only Western relations but also the postwar international order itself was in a state of turmoil.
That's why the major European nations were all struck by the victory of Mr. Biden, who emphasizes relations with his allies, in the US presidential election last November.
However, Atari emphasizes that becoming Mr. Biden will not change the tendency to downplay Europe, and that he must become independent from the United States, learning from "President Trump's four years."
Jacques Attali
"Becoming President Biden does not change the trend of American isolationism, at least from the Atlantic to the Pacific, which began in Obama before Trump and even in the Clinton era, which means Europe. It's more isolated, but that's not a bad thing, because it reminds us that we need more solidarity, independence from the United States, our own army, and our defenses. "
"Macron Doctrine"
Immediately after the US presidential election, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke in six languages about the "Macron Doctorin," which guides European foreign policy.
He argued that in order for the EU to occupy a solid position in the world, it is essential to maintain international cooperation and build a “strong Europe”.
Even in this election, the division of American society is conspicuous, and every time the administration changes, American policy may be greatly shaken and tossed.
He argued that in order for Europe to achieve stable development, it is essential to break away from dependence on the United States and become independent in terms of security.
Atari fully supports this recommendation.
Jacques Attali
"Europe wants to stay under the umbrella of the United States, but it can't because the United States is trying to withdraw it. Whether the United States will protect it if Europe is attacked. I don't know. The only option left is to be self-reliant. The important thing is whether Europe, where 500 million people live at the highest standards, can remain a "soft shadow superpower."
Historical cooperation between Germany and France
At the beginning of the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the EU had a shortage of masks and respirators, which led to countries banning exports and enclosing them.
Far from reaching out to help, dissatisfaction with the EU, which was unable to come up with effective countermeasures, increased, and the significance of its survival was questioned.
It was German Chancellor Angela Merkel who saved the EU crisis.
Accepting President Emmanuel Macron's claim for "building a strong EU" and agreeing to establish a large fund for the recovery of the EU economy.
From the position of emphasizing fiscal discipline, the position that had been strongly opposed to taking over the debt of other countries with weak financial bases has changed significantly, and in effect, member countries jointly bear debt and economic measures We accepted to invest in the environment, the environment, the digital field, and so on.
With the initiative of Germany and France, which became overwhelming in the EU after Brexit, the EU finally agreed to establish a large-scale reconstruction fund totaling 95 trillion yen.
Jacques Attali
"The EU has no mission to deal with health issues in the first place, so I could have decided that it would not be involved in the issue of the new Coronawis, but I did not. Unite and take some action. Believing that we had to set up a huge fund, this was a very important decision, a common program of unity in Europe, a joint action. "
Europe fights like this
And the EU has launched a "green recovery" strategy using this reconstruction fund.
At least 30% of the fund will be invested in renewable energy, etc., and environmental policy and economic recovery will be promoted like two wheels of a car.
The policy is to play a leading role in the reconstruction of the world economy by using the environment as a weapon for a new world after the pandemic.
Furthermore, at the end of the year, the EU concluded trade negotiations with the withdrawn UK and began vaccination against the new coronavirus.
The situation remains uncertain, with mutants of the new coronavirus spreading infections, but Atari hopes that the EU is trying to confront the post-corona world with a new vision in the face of an unprecedented crisis. I am entrusted with.
Jacques Attali
"Europe is at the forefront of climate change issues. It has launched an ambitious'climate initiative'. The goal of virtually zero carbon dioxide emissions is 2035 instead of 2050. Achieving ahead of schedule a year, we aim to become a democratic and environmentally friendly green economy continent. Europe can be comparable to a superpower, but at risk of collapse. However, it is powerful that the two EU powers Germany and France are working together to promote reforms. "
Recommendations for Japan
In turn, Japan.
Atari emphasizes that Japan and the EU, which are allies of the United States as well as Europe and share the common values of democracy and market economy, can cooperate in a huge area.
On top of that, Mr. Atari, who is also a Japanophile, makes the following direct statement toward Japan in 2021.
Jacques Attali
"I heard in recent news that young people hesitate to have children in Japan due to the new corona, and the birth rate is even lower. The most serious problem for Japan is the population problem. I If you are a Japanese leader, you will give top priority to measures against the declining birthrate. It will open the way for women to return to work after giving birth. This problem is a vital issue for Japan, and leaving it alone is a suicide act. I even think
"Build back better"
An unprecedented pandemic facing the world.
Atari asserts that even if it converges, it will no longer return to the original world.
How to overcome the problems accelerated and manifested by the pandemic, such as inequality, discrimination and climate change.
"Build back better" is the key word for a new world that begins after the pandemic.
The EU has begun to deepen its political integration, including security, centered on green recovery, as its ally, the United States, has slipped out of its overwhelming superpower position and China is making a leap forward in its influence.
There is much to be learned from the EU's decision to share the values of democracy and a market economy.
The EU seems to have begun to take us one step further towards a new vision.
The success or failure depends on maintaining the current strong German-French cooperation.
In that sense as well, who will replace Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has announced her retirement?
And will President Macron be re-elected in the French presidential election in June next year?
I would like to keep an eye on the choices of both German and French people.
Jun Takao,
Director General of Europe