The world needs a policeman—and since World War II the U.S. has filled that role. But what if the policeman no longer exercises his authority over geopolitical gangsters—or becomes abusive toward the world’s most steadfast rule followers?
I never imagined I would hear a U.S. president declare his intentions to “expand our territory,” as Donald Trump did in his inaugural address. He continues to suggest that Canada should become the 51st state, and he has refused to rule out military force to secure America’s control of the Panama Canal and the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are watching. If the U.S. can take Greenland for America’s security, Mr. Xi will claim he can invade Taiwan for Chinese security. Mr. Putin’s absurd arguments about conquering Ukraine for Russia’s security would be validated by Mr. Trump.
As a child I admired John F. Kennedy, who said that America would “pay any price, bear any burden . . . to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” As a young politician, I cheered Ronald Reagan’s 1985 State of the Union address, in which he said America’s “mission is to nourish and defend freedom and democracy.” As Danish prime minister, I worked with President George W. Bush because I believed Denmark’s security was best guaranteed by a close alliance with the U.S.
After Mr. Trump’s threats against some of America’s closest allies—including Denmark—I have had to revise my views. Today, we Europeans must be prepared to protect ourselves from those who lie in wait just outside our borders. Europe must develop a stronger and more effective defense to deter Russia and any other nation. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is still the cornerstone of European defense. But given that Mr. Trump has raised doubts about America’s willingness to fulfill its NATO obligations and has threatened two allies, Canada and Denmark, I see no option other than to ensure we can stand on our own in any situation.
We must build a coalition of willing European countries that are prepared to provide a robust European defense. We should strengthen the European Union’s security dimension, move to majority voting to prevent pro-Russia members from vetoing important security measures, and sign a security agreement between the EU and the U.K. as soon as possible to protect ourselves and our shared critical infrastructure.
History tells us that trade wars have only losers. Consumers pay more, inefficient domestic companies are protected from competition, and the result is less economic growth, lower productivity and less prosperity for everyone. But if Mr. Trump brings a tariff war to our door, we must fight back aggressively. Europe’s response should be dollar-for-dollar retaliation, targeted at the U.S. industries and businesses where it will hurt the most. Mr. Trump respects only strength.
I hope that the new U.S. administration doesn’t end an international order that has created more security and more prosperity for more people than any other in history. But hope is no strategy. Europe must be prepared or suffer the consequences.
This article was written by WWSG thought leader, Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
