The true danger posed by Donald Trump: The Economist illustrates Trump on a polar bear
A crisis that threatened to engulf the transatlantic alliance has eased. But for how long? This may be only a tactical retreat. Mr Trump has coveted Greenland for years. In setting out his claim he spoke about NATO with a contempt that should put the capitals of Europe on high alert, The Economist writes.
As noted, the Greenland crisis holds lessons for all countries. One is that will yield under pressure, without necessarily surrendering his long-term goals. Another is that the president’s narrow, pessimistic view of the world and his willingness to rewrite history have eroded the trust which used to underpin America’s alliances. Last, it follows that every falling-out under Trump threatens to be existential.
The publication states the US president signals a global realignment that allies must be prepared for.
Europe has, for now, been fortunate. Greenland is currently of limited importance to the US: it already hosts an American military base, and existing agreements provide the United States with nearly everything it needs. As a result, control over Greenland would give Washington very little at this time.
However, the danger has not disappeared. Trump has not stopped talking about claiming Greenland; he could reinstate tariffs and even threaten force. Even if an agreement is reached, his rhetoric demonstrates deep contempt for Europe, and he does not believe NATO benefits the United States.
Trump has repeatedly stated that the US “has paid 100%” for NATO and has never received anything in return. This is a travesty for NATO’s history and Europe’s future. He views European states as financially irresponsible.
As noted, Trump is unlikely to change his view that allies are spongers and shared values are for suckers. That is sure to lead to further confrontation, whether over Greenland or something else. America’s friends, in Europe and beyond, therefore need to prepare for a world in which they are alone.
The greatest danger, the article warns, is the creation of a more perilous world. If allies lose trust in the US, countries such as Germany, Japan, Poland, and South Korea could accelerate rearmament. Some may pursue nuclear weapons, global instability could rise, and Russia and China may take more risky or aggressive actions. Conflict could even erupt involving the US. Trump’s approach could thus create the very chaos he claims to want to avoid.
The publication states that in past decades American protection has coddled Europeans. Rather than deal with hard power, they have focused on the good life. Those times are over. European leaders should strive to slow the erosion of the transatlantic alliance, but they must also prepare for a day when NATO no longer exists.
The Greenland example demonstrates that while Trump may retreat tactically, his worldview threatens to undermine American alliances and push Europe toward a dangerous, unstable future, where it may be forced to defend itself alone.
