Also telling were the words of the leaders of both countries. German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed the emergence of a European army. French President Emmanuel Macron called for Europe to become ‘a shield’ against the tumults of the world, while also saying that they “who forget the value of peace and spread lies are accomplices in the crimes of the past”.
The thinly-veiled attacks on US President Donald Trump’s isolationist, pro-authoritarian policies and anti-fact statements were only the most recent signals of a new Europe which will have to lead the West, since the US seems uninterested in leading it and more focused on imploding under the current regime.
Of note is the fact that soon after Trump took office and began making erratic anti-Nato and pro-Russia statements, Merkel made it clear that Europe could no longer rely on the US to act as an ally in a potential conflict. Given that many of the points in the deal are simple reinforcements of previous agreements between France and Germany, the notably stronger military language of the deal appears to acknowledge Merkel’s position on Trump.
Within Europe, the deal has largely been welcomed with a bit of pause, except by far-right and alt-right leaders. The EU president was hopeful that the deal would further integrate all of Europe and not just the two signatories, while most opponents in the media were more worried about the unstable footing of the Macron government rather than any weaknesses in the deal itself.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2019.
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