Europe, wake up! The time of subordination is over

From Oliver Fiechter

Europe has adapted for too long – to the post-war order, to American security  guarantees, to global markets, to a world that no longer exists. Since the world  wars, the continent has been stuck in a mea culpa depression in which it talks itself  down while others rise. But now that the USA under Trump is no longer treating  Europe as an equal partner but as a superfluous competitor, the question arises:  will we land on our feet or on our backs? 

Europe in constant adaptation 

Since 1945, Europe has established itself under American protection and accepted  its role in the transatlantic order. Initially, the aim was to heal the wounds of war  and reintegrate itself morally and economically into the civilised world. But with its  integration into the transatlantic alliance under American leadership, security also  became dependence. Europe’s prosperity was based not least on the military  protection provided by the USA, which enabled the continent to achieve economic  development and social progress – albeit at the cost of strategic independence. In  return, Europe resigned itself to the role of a minor ally. 

But this arrangement is a thing of the past. With Trump, the USA has embarked on a  new course, which may have sounded different diplomatically under Biden, but has  been continued in terms of content: “America First” remains the guiding principle. The  transatlantic security architecture is beginning to totter and Europe is being thrown  out of the window like a cat. The question is no longer whether Europe needs to  redefine itself, but whether it can do so at all.

A chance to reflect 

Europe’s problem is not its economic or technological weakness – it is the loss of its  self-confidence. While others are looking to the future, Europe is stuck in the past.  In the USA, a hard-nosed calculation of benefits dominates: if you don’t pay, you will  be dropped. In Asia, a new economic and political order is emerging that takes no  account of European sensitivities. Even Russia and the Middle East have their own  strategic agendas, while Europe is still discussing how it can adapt. 

But Europe does not need to adapt – it needs to remember who it is. For centuries,  Europe has been an engine of innovation, a centre of trade, science and the cultural  avant-garde. The social market economy, the strength of the middle class, the  power of innovation and the universal values of the Enlightenment are not outdated  concepts – they are the foundation of an independent geopolitical and economic  strategy. 

A continent between self-abandonment and reinvention 

The reflex to adapt to the changed global conditions is understandable – but it is  misleading. In this case, adaptation means subordination to new superpowers that  ruthlessly assert their own interests. The real alternative, however, is not  subordination to a new hegemon, but regaining one’s own sovereignty. In other  words: 

• An independent economic strategy that is not only orientated towards  global trends, but also builds on Europe’s strengths such as its industrial  structure, education systems and innovative strength. 
• A geopolitical emancipation that no longer sees only Washington or Beijing  as a point of reference, but instead forms independent alliances, asserts  economic and security policy interests and no longer sees itself as a vassal.
• A new self-confidence that is fuelled by Europe’s achievements instead of  constantly reducing itself to the guilt of the past. The Second World War has  not been forgotten – but Europe cannot remain trapped in the guilt of the 20th  century forever. 

The world is changing – Europe must not give in, it must act 

The old rules of the game no longer apply. The USA is no longer the unconditional  protector, China is building its own order and India has risen to become a key  economic and geopolitical player. While the new power blocs are consolidating their  position and shaping the future, Europe looks like a caretaker of the past. 

There are two possibilities: Either we submit as subordinates to a world order  determined by others. Or we seize the opportunity to finally set our own rules. The  cat is out of the window – now Europe has to get back on its feet.