Crucial week to try to dispel transatlantic divisions

The thorny issues that divide American-European relations have accumulated over the months. But the EU intends to put its disputes with Washington on the table, during a videoconference, Monday, June 15, between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the European Foreign Ministers. This meeting via interposed screen will allow "to review all the challenges on which Europeans and Americans have converging views and different positions", underlined a high-ranking European diplomat. 

Discussions will continue on Thursday with US Defense Minister Mark Esper at NATO. In summary, this week promises to be "an important moment for the transatlantic relationship".  

The essence of an America First foreign policy is protecting our servicemen & women who put their lives on the line in defense of freedom. We will not stand idly by if the International Criminal Court follows through with its ideological crusade against American service members. pic.twitter.com/dzlYcdcPBp

Divide and rule  

The points of divergence relate to the aggressiveness of the relationship with China, the tensions caused in the Middle East by the American support for the policy of annexations of Israel, the withdrawal of the United States from the World Organization Health at the height of the fight against the pandemic caused by the Covid-19, retaliatory measures against the International Criminal Court are all subjects of litigation which require a frank explanation. 

>> Read on France 24: In Africa, the Pentagon changes course to face China and Russia

On all these disagreements, the head of the European diplomacy Josep Borrell multiplied the condemnations, the warnings with regard to the United States. But the Spanish official cannot hide the divisions between the states of the European Union. Many of his statements are not on behalf of the EU because they are not endorsed by all 27. A weakness that the United States and China never fail to accentuate to better divide, recognizes a diplomat.

Amid US-China tensions as the main axis of global politics, the pressures to 'choose sides' are increasing. In rougher seas, the EU's own interests and values ​​should be our compass.
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The withdrawal of American troops from the world 

To the divisions are added European strategy problems. "The European Union is still an actor in search of identity. It does not know what role it wants to play," says Josep Borrell. For the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, "Europe must invent a third way, made up of firmness in the defense of our interests and our fundamental principles, and of openness to a real multilateral dialogue. third way which is neither the cold war nor naive complacency ". 

This strategy is still under discussion. And each of Donald Trump's speeches and interventions leaves the 27 a little more circumspect. In Madrid and Berlin, we wonder about the reality of the American friend's umbrella in which the countries of the East continue to believe hard as iron. In Berlin, the decision to withdraw part of the American troops stationed in Germany had the effect of a cold shower in the country. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas spoke of a blow to German-American relations and a potential security risk. Pentagon boss Mark Esper will have to calm down on Thursday during the videoconference between NATO defense ministers. 

Withdrawal from Germany, withdrawal from Afghanistan, withdrawal from Iraq. The American disengagement is not a surprise for some allies. "Donald Trump is reviewing all US military engagements around the world because he is looking for where he can extricate himself," said a western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.  

Indispensable American support  

Each time the United States withdrew, NATO took over with a large component of American troops and resources, and the other allies were asked to step up. However for Paris and Berlin, "there is no question of increasing the commitment of Germany to replace the American troops", warned in February Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, German Minister of Defense, at the last meeting physics of ministers at Alliance headquarters. 

Germany's disengagement is analyzed as a coup by Donald Trump during the election period. This announcement, contrary to what some hope, will not speed up Defense Europe, says Judy Dempsey of Carnegie Europe.  

Whatever it is, no one has an interest in a falling out with Washington. "There is currently no credible alternative to NATO, unless the Europeans are willing to pay more for security," said an EU diplomat. And Europe still needs the United States. Washington militarily helps the French forces in the Sahel and has an influence on Turkey, one of the actors of the conflict in Libya in which the United States "was little involved", underlines the senior diplomat in Brussels. 

With AFP

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