By Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan (ex-Diplomat, Editor, Analyst)
The US and Europe have a elongated history of relations, if good or bad is debatable. The trade relations were robust, and the US is a significant partner of Europe, where US exports more than imports. The trade deficient has been in favor of the US for many years.
The Defense ties were also solid. NATO was deployed in many parts of Europe to counter communist threat during the cold war and, in recent years, to counter the Russian threat.
However, a critical change has been witnessed in recent years. China has arisen as a second-largest economy, and a rapidly growing trend between China and Europe has been visible. China is a vast country with an plenty of indiginious raw material, plenty of skilled labor at an affordable cost, and a vast domestic market. It enabled China for mass manufacturing, resulting in a low cost of production. Chinese products are very competitive in price, yet at an acceptable quality. The Chinese Government had taken special incentives for R&D and improvement of quality. Now, most Chinese products are as good as any developed country.
As most of the European countries are facing an economic crisis, and people may not be able to afford expensive branded products, they may turn toward Chinese products, equally good but rather at an affordable price. Persons are more concerned about the basic requirements of life instead of brands.
On the other hand, China is the only country enjoying a good economy comparatively. The purchasing power of an average Chinese is much higher than any other developed country. China is the only country that has excessive money and can execute trading activities smoothly. China is not only the leading exporter but also possesses a huge market for foreign products. The future of trade between Europe and China has enormous potential and may enhance further with time. China may replace the US as the largest trading partner in just within a couple of years.
On the defense cooperation between Europe and the US, there exists a decline. The US is demanding financial share from Europe for providing security, while Europe thinks that if they have to meet the defense expenses, then they might establish their own forces. On the one hand, can generate more employment for their own nationals, and on the other hand, have at disposal more loyal and trustworthy local army.
The recent decision of withdrawal of NATO troops from Germany has proved the apparent shift in the US defense policy in Europe. This decision has pushed Germany toward Russia and China. As a matter of fact, the US has expanded its military potentiality and has been un-necessarily indulged in many confrontations around the globe. American Military bases and overseas adventures have been proved a heavy burden on its economy. Now, it is quite difficult for the US to sustain its lavish military expenses and it is forced to pull out its troops from Afghanistan and Syria.
In the day to come, Europe may not depend on the US for its defense needs and may find an alternate solution.
Our break of Pandemic has further exposed the US capabilities, where instead of rescuing its European allies, the US was not able to save itself. The US has become the single largest victim of Pandemic in the number of infections as well as in death toll.
The rapidly changing geopolitics may require Europe to think twice about its relations with the US as a reliable partner. The UK is a traditional ally with the US and expected to remain the same. France supports the US only on a few things while opposes others.
Unfortunately, Europe and the US relations deteriorated under President Trump who was exerting pressure on some of the European nations to boycott Russia and Russian-Gas. Also, the US is putting pressure on its European partners to support the US on the ant-China alliance. Intellectuals in Europe are seriously thinking in terms of relations with the US or China-Russian as their future partner.
Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
(The views expressed in this article belong only to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Geostrategic Insights).