CR5 Issue 161 Oct 2018

September’s topical debate, ‘Whoever its
President, the USA will always be Europe’s
strongest ally’. saw excellent maiden speeches
by the Society’s two new members – starting
with proposer Suhan Srinivasan. An ally, he said,
is a state formally co-operating with another
for military or other purpose – as with Europe
and the USA. The basis of that alliance is much
stronger than any President. 1. Security and
defence: After 70 years of peace in Europe,
we nonetheless still need robust defences
and collaboration with America to discourage
threats from Russia, China, nuclear weapons’
development and terrorism, including cybercrime.
The USA, with its huge nuclear arsenal,
leads the world’s strongest military powers;
in Europe, only Italy, France and the UK make
the top ten. EU states’ membership of NATO
provides reassuring support in the event of an
attack, but without the USA and NATO backing,
what would deter the imposing might of Russia
and China? We need the USA. 2. Economy and
trade: Europe’s consumers(511.5 million) exceed
those in the States (327.5 million). Together,
this economic partnership is the single most
important factor in global economic growth and
prosperity, sustaining almost 15 million jobs in
the EU and USA. 3. Culture and values: While its
individual states are quite diverse, the EU has a
great deal in common with its transatlantic ally.
There is common commitment to the rule of law,
democracy, free enterprise, human rights,
tackling poverty, overseas charity (providing 80%
of official development aid), promoting peace
and environmental protection. France and the
UK are both members of the UN Security
Council, supporting the USA both with and
against China and Russia. 4. The future: When
the USA’s military and economic supremacy
eventually ends, who will stand against the
might of China? Together, the EU and the USA
reinforce each other. 5. Mutual benefit: While
the EU leans on America for security, the USA
needs EU trade. There can be no doubt, said
Suhan, that the USA is the EU’s strongest ally,
with its powerful army, extensive intelligence
service and proven support over two world wars.
Of course, there will be differences, but our ties
are strengthened by much more than NATO.
6. The President: While President Trump may
strain EU/American relationships, he cannot
ignore the risk that if Europe falls, could the USA
stand alone? The EU and the USA have a strong
alliance, which will last for generations and no
other friendship will come close.
Opposer Malcolm Swadling opened by saying
that the USA, like all countries, will always put
itself first – whoever the President! He quoted
Victorian statesman Lord Palmerston – ‘There
are no permanent friends or permanent enemies
– just permanent interests’. Arguably, Western
Europe owes the survival of its post-war
democracies to President Harry Truman’s (and
his successors’) determined stance against
Soviet Russia’s geopolitical expansion. But the
USA did not counter Stalin’s post-war
colonisation of Eastern Europe, and regretted its
WW2 Potsdam/Yalta agreements only when the
Soviets became a direct challenge to the USA. In
World War I, the sinking of the Lusitania and the
proposed anti-American Mexican/German
alliance prompted USA intervention, not the
plight of France, Belgium and the UK; in WW2,
the Pearl Harbour attack and the proposed
German/Japan alliance moved them to act, not
humanitarian concerns. The USA has supported
its European allies against hostile Fascism or
Communism only when defending its own
interests and, in fairness, Malcolm noted, why
not? Consecutive Presidents, from Bush Senior to
Barak Obama, have failed to provide timely
practical help when Russia annexed Crimea,
during the ethnic cleansing in former
Yugoslavia, and Donald Trump promised
‘tremendous retribution’ on the EU if a trade
deal was not agreed. So, the USA is hardly our
strongest ally. Furthermore, the EU countries
may be comparatively rich, but EU growth rates
(0.7% 10-year average) are well below those of
Sub-Saharan Africa (4.7%), the Middle East (3.5%)
and Latin America (2.2%). The USA’s economic
interests must surely lie with vibrant
developing countries, and indeed, America is
more and more looking across the Pacific;
Donald Trump’s foreign policy is focusing on
defence in Korea, and trade in the Pacific rim.
The EU must nurture the USA as a strong ally.
Although we have many shared interests,
America does not want to be our bodyguard, so
we need to spend more on defence (2% of GDP
as a NATO requirement) and we need to develop
and maintain a robust economy. Strength draws
strength – a prosperous, well-armed EU is not
an easy target for Putin’s Russia, but is a useful
ally for the USA and one that even Donald Trump
may admire.
The motion was won by 5 votes to 3, with 2
abstentions. The next debate, ‘The pen is
mightier than the sword’, will take place on
November 5th. at 7.30 p.m. in the Old Coulsdon
Centre, when Suhan Srinivasan will once more
propose and will be opposed by
Richard Ackland.
Visitors are welcome; details from
Angela Applin, 020 8668 8558.
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