INTERNATIONAL
US pressure on European allies could erode global influence: Swiss expert
Swiss editor says US alliances benefit America and warns against breaking them, as EU-China ties remain vital despite differences. - FREEPIK
THE United States' persistent pressure on its traditional European allies over economic and defense issues risks undermining its global influence, said a senior Swiss media professional at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier defense summit.
AI Brief
Fredy Gsteiger, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Swiss Radio and Television (SRF), made the comments during the dialogue, which ran from Friday to Sunday. He criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated claims that European countries "take advantage" of the United States, highlighting that such alliances have historically been a strategic advantage for the U.S.
"I think that the United States, they always say under this government of Donald Trump, that 'we pay for our allies and we don't profit ourselves'. I don't think this is true. The alliances of the U.S., they were actually very clever and they were also very much beneficial for the United States themselves. Thanks to its alliances, the U.S. has increased its weight on the world scene, geopolitically, in the United Nations, in other international organizations, so that was a clever strategy. And it's not very, I would say, rational from the Trump government to threaten now these alliances because it will reduce the weight of the U.S. if they can not automatically rely on a large number of firm and solid and traditional allies," Gsteiger said during an interview with China Media Group on Sunday.
Gsteiger emphasized the importance of EU-China relations, noting that although there are political and security differences between Europe and China, no European country is willing to sever ties with China.
"I think this relationship is important, it's particularly economically important. I think it's also profitable for both sides. I mean, it wouldn't be good for China, it wouldn't be good for European countries, if you say, let's cut this economic relationship. On the other side, of course, there are differences, political, security, ideological differences between China, which is totally a different kind of state as the European states. I think from the European side, one will look with a certain prudence at China, particularly because China has been a very important, bigger power than it used to be, so I am pretty sure that it will be a continued relation. Nobody has the interest in breaking down these relations, it is too important," he said.
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AI Brief
- Fredy Gsteiger criticised Trump's view that US allies are a burden, arguing alliances have strengthened US global influence.
- He warned that threatening these alliances could weaken America's international standing.
- Gsteiger emphasised that EU-China relations are economically crucial and won't be cut despite political differences.
Fredy Gsteiger, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Swiss Radio and Television (SRF), made the comments during the dialogue, which ran from Friday to Sunday. He criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated claims that European countries "take advantage" of the United States, highlighting that such alliances have historically been a strategic advantage for the U.S.
"I think that the United States, they always say under this government of Donald Trump, that 'we pay for our allies and we don't profit ourselves'. I don't think this is true. The alliances of the U.S., they were actually very clever and they were also very much beneficial for the United States themselves. Thanks to its alliances, the U.S. has increased its weight on the world scene, geopolitically, in the United Nations, in other international organizations, so that was a clever strategy. And it's not very, I would say, rational from the Trump government to threaten now these alliances because it will reduce the weight of the U.S. if they can not automatically rely on a large number of firm and solid and traditional allies," Gsteiger said during an interview with China Media Group on Sunday.
Gsteiger emphasized the importance of EU-China relations, noting that although there are political and security differences between Europe and China, no European country is willing to sever ties with China.
"I think this relationship is important, it's particularly economically important. I think it's also profitable for both sides. I mean, it wouldn't be good for China, it wouldn't be good for European countries, if you say, let's cut this economic relationship. On the other side, of course, there are differences, political, security, ideological differences between China, which is totally a different kind of state as the European states. I think from the European side, one will look with a certain prudence at China, particularly because China has been a very important, bigger power than it used to be, so I am pretty sure that it will be a continued relation. Nobody has the interest in breaking down these relations, it is too important," he said.