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I think you misunderstand the feeling in Europe. > The US would still come to the defense of France, Germany, UK, Pretty sure many Europeans genuinely doubt i
by palata 9mo ago
I think you misunderstand the feeling in Europe.
> The US would still come to the defense of France, Germany, UK,
Pretty sure many Europeans genuinely doubt it. It's not only Greenland (though that is an actual military threat), it's also that the US government (not only Trump) has been saying repeatedly (many times to EU governments, in front of journalists) that he may not do it. Or he may, depending on how he feels on that day.
In went from "The US may not protect a NATO member anymore" to "Actually we're thinking about invading you". Maybe you see that as "words", but I strongly believe that the Europeans see that as very real threats.
> sprinkle in some hacking, and disinformation campaigns to fuel European far-right groups too.
The US has been documented to spy on EU politicians forever. Also to interfere with other countries (including European countries) for their own interest. And when it comes to disinformation campaigns to fuel European far-right groups... It's not only members of the US government who have openly been doing that, but also oligarchs like Elon Musk.
> The main criticism I have here of the EU is that they seem to think the US should come and help Europe
When the Europeans complain about the US now, it's very far from that. They think that the US should not behave like an enemy. And that's a wake-up call because until recently, they knew that the US was "interfering in their own interest", bullying and abusing their dominant position, but it was accepted "because it's an ally". But suddenly they explicitly tell to Europe that they are not allies. What remains?
> but when it comes to China all of a sudden it's
That's another thing: I don't think that Europeans see China as an ally. But this hasn't changed dramatically in the last year.
When people say they would rather buy Chinese products (and it's not only Europe, look at Canada and probably others), they react to the fact that they feel they have been betrayed by the US. And when they say that, US citizen seem to genuinely not understand because "they never considered that they were friends". Well guess what, the Europeans thought it was a friendship. Of course now they're disappointed.
- ericmay 9mo ago> I think you misunderstand the feeling in Europe. No, I understand it. Thanks. I disagree with it - that's different. > Pretty sure many Europeans genuinely doubt it. Let's just get to the point: do you want the United States to leave military bases in Europe and withdraw from NATO and other security commitments related to Europe? Because you and others seem to keep "doubting" it, so maybe we should just do what you think we're going to do then. > The US has been documented to spy on EU politicians forever. The EU spies on the US too. This is common practice. Don't be naive. > That's another thing: I don't think that Europeans see China as an ally. But this hasn't changed dramatically in the last year. Right... of course "China isn't an ally". But the EU is happy to do trade deals with China (which won't last by the way, once the products that were going to the US start going to Europe and grind Germany's manufacturing capabilities into dust while China continues to limit your access to their market) even when they are actively helping Russia invade Ukraine. Time and time again folks like yourself and others sit here even in these comments and say things like "China isn't doing anything to Europe" and "the US is supporting Russia" and then you act surprised when Americans say fine, maybe we will support Russia when we've sitting here giving tens of billions of dollars in equipment to Ukraine, selling them weapons we also need, providing intelligence and logistical support, including active targeting of Russian assets in Russia, seizing Russian oil tankers funding their war economy, which Europe was too weak to do until the US took the lead, maintaining tends of thousands of soldiers, aircraft, tanks, and more in Europe including in the Baltic states, Romania, &c, and more. Maybe you and others who feel like you do should be more introspective about how the EU has behaved, and how you yourself sounds to Americans. When I read comments like this, and keep in mind I think the US should have went straight to war against Russia when they invaded, it makes me want to write my Congressman and tell them to stop supporting Ukraine and leave NATO. But maybe that's your goal too. :)
- palata 9mo agoThis all honestly sounds sociopathic. You cannot disagree with the feelings of someone else. Someone is sad, they are sad, period. This is "being a human 101". "Since you already feel hurt, it makes me want to hurt you, but maybe that's your goal". You actually scare me. Let's stop this here please.