The British newspaper The Telegraph has recently claimed that it has got a draft document in its hands. This leaked document has revealed that America wants to destroy Europe and is also preparing to form a new alliance with Asian countries including India and China. However, America has called this document fake. US says the 29-page US National Security Strategy (NSS) released on Friday is the real and official document.
According to the leaked document, the Trump administration wants to change the government in 3 countries – Britain, France and Germany – to strategically weaken the European Union (EU). It is also planning to separate 4 countries Italy, Hungary, Poland and Austria from the EU. These could be the reasons for this.
economic competition and trade
The European Union (EU) is the world’s largest interconnected economy. The strengthening of the EU is a challenge to America’s business interests. By weakening it, America can make different trade deals with European countries and get better trade deals. Also can have more control over the European market. The total GDP of the 27 countries included in the EU is approximately 17 trillion dollars. There is an annual trade of more than 1 trillion dollars between America and EU. EU is considered to be America’s largest trade partner.
Financial burden on NATO
Trump and his ministers have expressed their displeasure over Europe’s share in NATO spending. In fact, America says that it bears the biggest burden of NATO’s security system, whereas many European countries do not spend as per the set target. According to NATO rules, member countries must spend at least 2% of their GDP on defense. After the Russia-Ukraine war and increasing security threats, many European countries have started increasing defense budgets, but America still demands an equal share. NATO has 32 member countries. America alone bears about 65 to 70% of its total military expenditure. After this come Germany (6%), Britain (5.4%) and France (4.3%).
Dissatisfaction with Europe’s migration policy
Trump has on many occasions expressed his displeasure over Europe’s weak immigration policy. Recently Trump mentioned the Great Replacement Theory regarding immigration. In this theory it is claimed that due to the arrival of immigrants, Europe is becoming weak and losing its identity. He said that many of the leaders of Europe are very stupid and their migration policies have proved to be a complete failure. Trump believes that due to continuous immigration in Europe and censorship on free speech, there is a danger of the end of civilization.
Core 5- Benefit from the new global order
America is thinking of forming a new Core-5 alliance, which will include America, China, Russia, India and Japan. This alliance will sideline Europe. This is a strategy by which America can take global decisions without the consent of Europe and strengthen its position in Asia. Can deal directly with Asian superpowers instead of Europe.
Alliance with nationalist governments
Trump likes right-wing governments in European countries because their thinking and policies match his ideology on many important issues. In Italy, the government of Prime Minister Georgia Meloni talks about strict immigration policy, nationalism and traditional values. This stance matches Trump’s America First thinking. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban openly opposes illegal immigration and the policies of the European Union. Trump has praised Orbán many times.
Poland has also been among the countries that increased defense spending on NATO, which has been Trump’s main demand. The Austrian government also talks about limiting immigration and reducing the power of the EU. All these things match Trump’s thinking. Right wing parties currently have governments in all four countries, which is why the leaked document talks about separating these 4 countries from the EU.
Need to balance Russia-China
The new strategy promotes strategic stability with Russia. If the EU weakens, Europe’s voice in the Ukraine war will weaken and the US-Russia may reach a direct agreement. A united Europe can become the third power in the ongoing competition between America and China. By weakening Europe and creating Core-5, America can deal directly with China.
