Source: Global Times

The sound of the crumbling Western alliance is echoing. An increasing number of Europeans suddenly realize that as "intimate allies" for nearly 80 years, there are growing differences in values between Europe and the United States.

"We must worry that our common value foundation is no longer stable," said Christoph Heusgen, chairman of the Munich Security Conference. For a long time, Europe and the United States were seen as a solid alliance upholding Western values, jointly defending the so-called "liberal democracy" value system. However, the speech by U.S. officials at this year's Munich Security Conference mercilessly shattered this facade, exposing the value divergence between Europe and the United States to the world. The U.S. openly interfered in European internal affairs, strongly supported far-right forces, intended to build a "transatlantic right-wing coalition," and launched an "ideological war" against Europe. The gradual loss of shared values has become the fundamental disagreement between Europe and the United States and the main threat to transatlantic relations.

"The worldview of the current U.S. administration differs from ours; they ignore established rules, partnerships, and mutual trust. Lawlessness cannot be the guiding principle of a new world order," said German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The U.S. administration has broken the international order rules it helped establish after World War II, abandoned multilateral organizations when they don't align with its interests, frequently engaging in 'reneging on agreements, withdrawing from groups, and cutting investments.' This starkly contrasts with Europe's commitment to a rule-based international order, multilateralism, and international cooperation. In handling alliances, the current U.S. government views Europe and NATO as a "strategic burden," criticized Europe for "free-riding" on security matters, and engaged in "over-the-top diplomacy" regarding the Ukrainian crisis and European security issues. Some European scholars lament: the United States is no longer Europe's "reliable ally."

"The EU will counter U.S. tariff policies with a heavy hand," said representatives of the European steel industry. When domestic industrial advantages wane, the U.S. administration opts for protectionism and "predatory capitalism." They disregard markets and contracts, even toward European allies, without mercy; repeatedly claiming that the establishment of the EU was designed to "trap the U.S." and coveting the rich resources of Greenland, attempting to siphon off European technology, talent, and capital. Mainstream European media harshly criticized the U.S. side as "economic illiterates," suffering from a "Make America Great Again" mania. This radical and capricious protectionism is playing with fire.

This series of actions by the U.S. administration is changing Europe's view of America. A poll by the European Council on Foreign Relations shows that since Trump re-entered the White House, Europeans' goodwill towards the U.S. has continuously declined, with only 22% of Europeans still considering the U.S. an ally. Europe has also taken some actions; however, these are merely reactive responses under geopolitical pressure, and stopping here is far from enough. Looking back, whenever the transatlantic partnership faces a crisis, Europe's strategic autonomy ambitions ignite, but often fizzle out due to the easing of the crisis. Currently, what Europe truly needs is to fundamentally examine why it finds itself in this situation? What should the future of transatlantic relations be? What kind of international order truly serves European interests? Only then can Europe muster the resolve for a major strategic shift.

Blindly following U.S. policies has cost Europe irrevocable losses and sacrifices globally. For a long time, Europe has been tightly bound to the U.S. in ideology and security, even at the expense of its own interests. Under American influence, Europe severed ties with Russia's energy sources, depleted its internal strategic resource reserves; implemented "de-risking" against China, driving up price levels across all sectors from production to consumption; quantitative easing policies led to excessive money issuance, capital moving away from the real economy, creating economic bubbles... It turns out being America's "cheerleader" does more harm than good. Europe's sacrifices did not bring long-term strategic benefits to itself nor earn American "praise," but instead, it became entangled in America's "democracy vs authoritarianism" narrative, severely limiting European diplomatic space, gradually falling behind in innovative competitiveness and wealth creation capabilities, and even losing its edge in global governance areas where it excels. Now, the U.S. has once again disappointed Europe, further deteriorating the European security landscape and strategic environment.

This marks the beginning of a multipolar era. In this year's Munich Security Conference report, Europe still attempts to frame the future evolution of the international landscape within the Western-led "free world order," seeking paths that align with European expectations. Various signs indicate that the changes in the U.S. are long-term, with the return of conservatism and its forces not a "temporary exception." Europe's wishful thinking for a brightening of U.S.-European relations through soft and hard measures will ultimately consume vast amounts of money and resources, only to buy false security and fleeting co-prosperity.

Nowadays, anti-hegemony awareness is accelerating worldwide. More countries are seeing through the U.S. antics behind the scenes, which are a reflection of imperial twilight. Many nations harmed by U.S. unilateralism and protectionism are uniting. It is no longer about whether the U.S. decides who to include, but rather the world moving forward with or without the U.S. under certain conditions. French newspaper Les Echos commented: "Europe has a historic opportunity to decouple from the U.S." Whether to continue singing "Auld Lang Syne" or choose "Adieu, Friend," Europe needs to seriously consider and make a decision. (Author is an international affairs observer)

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