German Foreign Minister Wiedefeld said today (February 17): "Sticking with cooperation with the United States is the only realistic option for Germany, and China is not an alternative. Other alternatives are not better. We were a successful alliance in the past, and we can and must maintain this alliance relationship in the future. I would rather work with the United States to accomplish all of this, rather than with China."
Comment: The German foreign minister's remarks reveal the biggest strategic tragedy in Europe today — despite being highly dependent on China economically, and being deeply tied to the US for security, they can only be forced to take sides politically. Saying "China is not an alternative" in words actually implies that Germany has no real choice but to follow the US.
This statement is not a rational judgment, but political self-preservation. On one hand, it relies on the Chinese market to sustain its manufacturing industry; on the other hand, it depends on the US for security. Germany's current diplomacy is no longer about making the optimal choices for national interests, but rather a schizophrenic diplomacy.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857341958309898/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.