Former German Ambassador: Is belligerent unilateralism turning the US into a “rogue state”?

Anti-US protest in Berlin. Photo: Global Look Press

Former German Ambassador to the US Wolfgang Ischinger has expressed concern that Donald Trump's destabilising policy moves - from withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal to imposing tariffs on the European Union - could fuel anti-American sentiment in Germany, making it increasingly difficult for Berlin to protect its relationship with Washington.

In an interview with Reuters, Ischinger urged Germans not to abandon the transatlantic partnership with the United States, but acknowledged that Trump's alienating moves could be "harmful" to US-German relations.

Trump vs the world?

Professor Peter Schulze, an international relations expert at the University of Gottingen, commented that Germany is not the only country that feels challenged by the US President's isolating foreign policy initiatives.

“The Trump administration and Congress have essentially sought to decouple the United States from the eyes of the majority of sovereign nations in the world,” he said, adding that a “deep rift” had formed between Europe and Washington. But he doubted that Trump’s alienating policies would lead to “dangerous, hostile anti-Americanism” in Europe, instead predicting that Germany and other European countries would simply try to wait out a new administration in Washington—a strategy Schulze called “evasion.”

John Laughland, a British philosopher, historian and author, said the EU was shocked by Trump's decision to impose tariffs on the bloc. But the US President's previous decisions to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel were also dangerous warnings for Europe.

“All these measures make European countries think – and I think they are right – that the new US administration wants to pursue a policy of power, a policy of asserting US interests unilaterally. And of course that puts Europe in a very weak position, because the EU is used to cooperating with the Americans. Without that cooperation, the European project itself will be in trouble.”

While Trump has sought to alienate European countries and Canada, his dealings with Saudi Arabia and Israel appear to be aimed at reinforcing old alliances, Laughland added. Even Japan, another close US ally, has been largely spared Trump’s alienating behavior.

Unpredictable subject

Illustration: Getty

Putting aside concerns about rising anti-Americanism, Trump's indifference has also had unintended consequences that are being felt internationally.

Laughland noted that Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran deal and the Paris climate accord has made the US an unreliable partner in the eyes of European allies.

“Trump has made America an unpredictable actor in international relations. It is rare for an administration to tear up treaties and agreements signed by its predecessor,” he asserted. While other presidents are unpredictable “in their own way,” Trump has essentially “reinforced America’s reputation as a rogue state, a country that does not play by the rules.”

Most worrying, though, Laughland asserts, is that Trump’s alienating policies could pose a risk of conflict with Iran: “We know about that, the neoconservatives, the Pentagon, and Trump are all in agreement.”

Schulze said Trump's unilateralism could have far-reaching consequences that will affect geopolitics for decades to come.

The US leader’s preference for traditional, armed allies could “accelerate the formation of a constellation of key actors — whether through cooperation or conflict,” Schulze noted. He added that while US-China competition is likely to determine “the emerging world order,” alienating European and other countries may not help Washington successfully maintain its hegemonic position.

Don't trust Trump completely

US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at the G7 summit in Canada on June 8. Photo: Reuters

However bold Trump's attacks on Europe may be, it is important to remember that the US president was once a reality TV star, Laughland notes.

“Trump is a genius at getting people to talk about him. He’s a reality TV host, he won the primaries by not participating in debates. He has a knack for making himself the center of attention. And he often does that by saying things he doesn’t mean, or things he later walks back. We saw that after the Helsinki summit. So similarly, in his foreign policy, Trump can say things that seem shocking, and that upset a lot of people who aren’t used to his language, but that’s not what he means. Or what he means isn’t necessarily what he says,” Laughland said.