“Very bad, very bad and mean,” the BBC said of vice-president Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference the day before. Vance’s attacks on Europe over democracy, immigration and the failure to honour defence commitments have caused consternation and continued backlash both inside and outside the crucial stage of western discussions on security. Scholtz, the German chancellor, said bluntly yesterday that he would not accept outsiders“Interfering in our democracy”. Barrow, the French foreign minister, said that“No one can impose their own model on Europe”. Vance’s speech exposed the collapse of the transatlantic alliance, the Guardian reported yesterday.
Vice President Vance addressed the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 14,2010. (visual China)
This year’s conference was supposed to focus on two issues: How to end the war in Ukraine without caving in to Russia, and how Europe could increase defence spending. But Vice President Vance didn’t focus on those things on the lectern yesterday. Instead, he lashed out at Washington’s European allies. He said, “The threat I worry about most is not Russia, it is not China, it is not any other external power. I’m worried about the threat from within. Europe is abandoning some of its most basic values, but they are in line with those of the United States.” He accused European leaders of censoring social media, interfering in elections and violating Christians’ rights, “This is the best way to destroy democracy.”.
In his speech, Vance singled out British, Swedish and German critics. Vance, Qa?ar’s Al Jazeera Minister, accused the country yesterday of backsliding on religious rights, prompting attacks on“The fundamental freedoms of religious Britons” He condemned Sweden’s conviction of a“Hate crime” against an activist who burned copies of the Koran in public. Vance also criticised the consensus among mainstream German parties not to co-operate with the far-right, anti-immigrant AFD. Vance questioned the cancellation of the results of the Romanian presidential election because of foreign interference, saying“The US can not help you if you are afraid of your own voters”. The BBC said Vance’s“Very strange 20-minute” speech left delegates stunned, speechless and almost silent.
After Vance’s speech, Callas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said Vance was“Trying to pick a fight with the Europeans”. Collaku, the prime minister, said his country remained“A defender of European and American democratic values”. “No one is obliged to adopt our model, but no one can impose their model on Europe,” Barrow, the French Foreign Minister, wrote on social media platforms
Germany’s response has been particularly strong. German defense minister Pistorius hit back in a speech on the 14th, the U. S. side of the European leaders of the blame“Unacceptable”, “The U. S. Vice President of the entire European democracy questioned. According to a report by Der Spiegel on the 15th, German Chancellor Scholtz Vance said on the same day at a meeting in Munich that his remarks supporting the afd were“Inappropriate” and“Inappropriate.”, especially“Among friends and allies”, Germany will not accept outsiders interfering“In our democracy, our elections and democratic opinion”. German opposition leader Merz also stressed on the 15th, “We adhere to the rules brought about by democracy.”.
The Washington Post said Tuesday that Vance’s comments were“Alarming.”, it shows the extent to which the Donald Trump government is willing to align itself directly with and support far-right European voices with anti-immigrant, anti-gay and pro-russian views. This is a wake-up call for Europe, and especially for Germany. Der Spiegel reported on the 15th that Vance had interfered in the German election campaign and that he, Donald Trump and Elon Musk were apparently trying to ensure that the afd took power.
“Vance taught the old Europeans a shocking lesson in democracy,” Radio Vance said in a commentary on Wednesday, nature is the classic of the Old Europe: values, freedom of speech, democracy and so on, so the old Europe was caught off guard. At this point, European leaders would like to hear from the vice president, “The United States will work with you to defend the sovereignty of Ukraine.”.
Vance is not the only Donald Trump administration official making a strong appearance on the European stage. The United States Secretary of Defense will end his week-long visit to Belgium, Germany and Poland on the same day, Reuters reported Wednesday. Speaking at NATO headquarters, he conveyed a message consistent with Donald Trump and his American priorities that Europe had been using the US and relying on its expensive military presence for its defence. Reported that this high-profile appearance abroad to anger and alienate the European allies.
The United States and Europe are in a conflict that will fundamentally change the Transatlantic relations, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said Tuesday. There is more than one issue at play. From NATO to Ukraine, from climate to trade, from technology regulations to relations with China, the US and Europe are likely to clash repeatedly and persistently.
“What’s next?” Foreign Policy reported on the 15th, although Vance told Europeans at the start of his speech that“We’re on the same team”, but his final words seemed more important: “Good Luck and God bless you.” Although European officials attending the council acknowledged that Europe must do more to defend itself, but deep concerns about the US’s status as a reliable partner remained.
Despite criticism from the Trump administration, the UK government has called for Europe to remain united with the US. British prime minister Stamer said Britain would work to bring the United States and Europe together and“Not let any differences in our alliance distract us from our external enemies,” Reuters reported Wednesday. “Europe must play a bigger role in NATO,” he said.