I Like World Politics

The idea of an EU military is not a new one. Over the last four or five years, I’ve discussed it many times both online and in the real world. One of the longest conversations that I’ve had on the topic has been with my good friend sarabee1995.

Sara and I disagree on many topics so, it came as no surprise when we disagreed on this one too. I won’t bore you with all that we said but I believe that the main thrust of her argument was that, a strong political, financial and military EU would act as a counterpoint to the USA. My rebuttal was twofold. First, for something to be a counterpoint, it has to be in opposition. Do we really want to be in opposition to each other? Do we Europeans want to oppose our biggest ally, our biggest partner in NATO? Second, I disagree with the whole concept of a “strong EU”. To me, such a development would be disastrous. Should there be such a concentration of power, I can actually see the dystopian world described in 1984 by George Orwell, becoming a reality.

Needless to say, the debate was never resolved. However, the idea of an EU military has reared its head again and is now being mooted by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron. This has attracted the ire of none other than Donald Trump, who finds the whole notion “very insulting”. Because, Macron stated that Europe needs to protect itself from China, Russia and……….the USA!


Trump tweeted:

"President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidies greatly!"

Earlier this year, during a private meeting with NATO leaders in Brussels, Trump suggested allies double their targeted 2024 spending commitment from 2% of their GDP to 4%.

Why should we? Why should we Europeans pay a higher membership fee to club, only to be bullied by the strongest member of that club? Since taking office, Trump has threatened the very existence of NATO, he has pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, he is now pulling out of the nuclear proliferation agreement and, has told the world that he wants to increase Americas nuclear arsenal. He has consistently antagonised and insulted all of Americas most staunch allies, but now feels insulted because we are seeing him as a threat?

So, I now find myself doffing my cap in agreement with my friend Sara. Not with the entirety of her proposal but, an EU military sounds ever more appealing.

If I had any confidence in the notion that Trump is merely an aberration, that in two more years (or less) he will be out of office and normal service will be resumed, I would stick to my original thoughts and be against an EU military. Especially bearing in mind that the UK will be leaving the EU next year. However, I have no such confidence. America is following a dark path and I’m beginning to think that Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and, Sara are all right. Europe should take its fate into its own hands.

By the way, for those who may not know, Trump is in France to commemorate the end of World War 1 and was supposed to visit a cemetery for fallen American servicemen. He cancelled the visit to said cemetery because……………….IT WAS RAINNING!