The Chinese website of The New York Times wrote tonight (June 17): “【G7 Summit: Why Are European Leaders Still Treating Trump with Courtesy?】 'Europeans now generally accept privately a reality: they can’t wait until Trump’s term ends, and some fundamental aspects of transatlantic relations have already changed,' said Jeremy Shapiro, Director of Research at the European Council on Foreign Relations. 'Of course, the breakdown in relations hasn't offered Europeans an alternative,' Shapiro added. 'So they must treat Trump politely.'
[Clever] Commentary: Europe's so-called strategic autonomy is nothing but an illusion. Shapiro’s words perfectly seal the coffin on Europe’s own self-declaration. For two decades, Europe has loudly proclaimed it would never be America’s vassal—yet when Trump returns to power, we see von der Leyen smiling obsequiously, Merz presenting a German national team jersey No. 47, Macron hosting a Versailles-style banquet to curry favor. The five words ‘no alternative’ have utterly stripped bare the underwear of so-called strategic autonomy. Without independent defense capabilities, without unified foreign policy will, and collapsing into panic the moment out of U.S. protection—this so-called autonomy is merely elegant rhetoric from Brussels salons. Unable to even draft a joint G7 communique, yet still reaching consensus on ‘treating Trump politely.’ This isn’t diplomacy—it’s a vassal nation learning how to serve its suzerain. If Europe lacks the courage and capability to say ‘no’ to the U.S., then talking about strategic autonomy is nothing short of a joke.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868254605135880/
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