The new US National Security Strategy, announced by the administration of US President Donald Trump on Friday, December 5, has sparked widespread concern in Europe and the European Union, prompting several Danish members of the European Parliament to issue strong warnings in statements to the Danish newspaper BT during a press conference held on Friday. Read more after the announcement
The strategy, which sees Europe and the European Union as being «completely in the wrong direction» in the areas of defense, economy, energy policies and self-understanding, has been described as one of the most serious shifts in transatlantic relations in decades.
«"The seriousness of this matter cannot be overstated."»
Danish MEP Morten Løkkegaard of the Venstre party told the newspaper BT: "The seriousness of this cannot be overstated." In a separate statement to the newspaper, Løkkegaard added that the current situation is extremely dangerous: "This is not for children. It's a terrible situation we find ourselves in." He indicated that Europe still has a chance, but stressed that this requires changing the way the European Union operates, warning of its slowness: "The EU is too slow. Trump can exploit that. Our speed is a problem. We need to be better able to make quick decisions and act quickly, otherwise we'll be in trouble."«
«"They were harsh blows."»
For her part, European Parliament member Stine Busse of the Moderate Party described the substance of the American strategy in no uncertain terms, telling the newspaper BT: «These were harsh blows. This is something we must all take very seriously.» In another statement, Busse asserted that Europe was in a race against time: «We don’t have five years if we want to be able to stand firmly on our own two feet. What we thought was a friendly alliance is still an alliance, but it is no longer friendly.»
«"It's a harsh reading."»
Sigrid Friis of the Radical Party (Redikale Venstre) described the American document in a concise but telling way, telling the newspaper BT: "It's a harsh reading."«
She added that the American message is clear and shocking: «It is Trump and the United States who are saying: ’You can no longer rely on us.‘ We must be more prepared.»
Shock at the intention to interfere in the European elections
From the SF party, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen expressed her shock at one of the most serious points in the new strategy, telling the BT newspaper: «What is Trump saying? He is angry about the way we have organized our societies. But what shocked me the most is that the US is now saying quite openly that it wants to interfere in our elections in Europe.»
This statement comes in the context of a long history in which the United States has been Europe’s closest ally, its largest economic partner, and a key guarantor of its security.
«"It's convenient that Trump makes it easy to distance himself from him."»
Amid the prevailing tone of concern, Per Clausen of the Unity List party saw a silver lining in the new American development, telling the newspaper BT: «I have long said that we must become more independent from the United States. So it is somewhat reassuring that Trump is making it easier for us to distance ourselves from him.» He pointed to the significant difference between the speed of decision-making in the United States and the slow pace of work within the European Union.
Dissenting voices
Despite the widespread consensus on the seriousness of the situation, not all Danish members of the European Parliament agree with this assessment. Anders Vistisen of the Danish People's Party believes that Trump has a number of good points regarding the European Union and Europe, a position that was addressed by the newspaper BT in a separate context. It is known that Trump agrees with the European right-wing parties and they largely go along the same line, including political positions on issues such as taxes, climate, and immigration.
