Nick Smith, February 23, 2003

The confrontation with Iraq has revealed increasing tension in our ties with Europe, and especially with France and Germany. It is becoming increasingly evident that many Europeans see the situation very differently than Americans do. This is underscored by the aggressive European opposition we’ve seen to action against Iraq in NATO and the U.N. Security Council - exceeding that of traditional enemies such as Russia and China. We need to try to understand this opposition from France and Germany and what it means for the future of U.S.-European relations.

Some countries do not consider Iraq a potential enemy compared to the threat from the former Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, our traditional European allies became much more secure. Just as importantly, it left the European countries (and the U.S. for that matter) casting about for a direction in foreign policy. The diplomatic energy previously expended on resisting communism and defending Europe needed a productive outlet in a changed world.

Much of that energy was directed toward expanding the European Union (EU). In the past few years, the EU has adopted a common currency, a common central bank, and ten new member countries in Eastern Europe while setting a timetable for the accession of several more. The EU is also working to improve its economic competitiveness vis-à-vis the U.S. and other industrialized nations. Naturally, this has led to a rivalry of sorts with a number of high-profile trade disputes between the U.S. and EU on topics such as food biotechnology and steel tariffs.

The push for a common EU political agenda to go with its economic agenda is causing more friction. With a population more than 50% larger than the U.S. and an economy nearly as large, a joint EU foreign policy would have substantial influence. It has been difficult, however, to reach agreement among the fifteen EU nations (which are set to grow to 25) on a joint foreign policy. One group, currently led by French President Jacques Chirac, would like an assertive EU foreign policy that seeks to balance the influence of the U.S. Others, currently led by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, are less eager for a separate EU foreign policy and see more common ground with the U.S.

It’s important to understand that much of the European criticism of the American policy to disarm Saddam Hussein is not only about Iraq, but also a power struggle to determine the EU’s role in the world, and who will have influence in setting EU policies. Initially, the French and German opponents to disarming Iraq characterized their policy as representing Europe. Blair responding by organizing a letter of eight European heads of state in support of the U.S., which was followed by another letter signed by ten more Eastern European heads of state backing America. This has put France and Germany on the defensive in this conflict, but the argument within the EU will continue.

The outcome of that argument will affect the U.S. We can expect U.S.-EU relations to continue to diverge in some degree from the close alliance of the Cold War-era no matter what happens. But it’s in our interest to prevent the emergence of a confrontational relationship with the EU. That would be a tragedy after decades of successful cooperation and that is why President Bush and Secretary Powell are making an all-out effort to reach an agreement that still rids Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.

Congressman Nick Smith represents the 7th District Congressional of Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives.