When two close people are separated for several years by trauma, it is futile to believe in a euphoric reunion. Everyone has lived their life, in denial or in mourning, in the lack or the will to rebuild. These psychological banalities apply to the relationship between the United States and Europeans.
As Americans prepare to vote in one of the most important ballots in their history, observers on the Old Continent agree on a double proposition: Biden or Trump, the identity of the winner matters immensely; but the election of the first would not mean a return to old times, often wrongly mythologized.
The Obama era had already witnessed a reorientation of American priorities towards Asia, a political and military disinvestment from the Ukrainian or Syrian crises. But the Trump presidency was, for Europeans, a succession of strong emotions, humiliations and disappointments. Above all, it brought about an unprecedented collective awareness, pushing them finally to think and act – a little – in terms of power and sovereignty.
For a long time, Europeans wanted to believe in the historic strength of the alliance with the United States, the permanence of certain fundamental principles, such as Article 5 on solidarity between members of NATO. But we had to be disillusioned. This American president had nothing but contempt and ignorance for European affairs. Germany was seen as an overly powerful and under-taxed car producer, criticized for its Nord Stream 2 gas project with Russia. The UK was praised as an inventive vassal, due to Brexit. As for France …
Emmanuel Macron met Donald Trump for the first time in Brussels, at the end of May 2017. The US president greeted that day “The incredible victory” and the “Great campaign” led by its young counterpart. On the side of Emmanuel Macron, it was time for the seduction operation. “My wish is that there is no hasty decision on this subject from the United States of America”, the head of state declared that day about the Paris climate agreement. A few days later, however, Donald Trump announced the American withdrawal from the international treaty sealed in 2015. Even if the effective exit should not take place until November 2020, this decision symbolized the staging of the break with the Obama era, desired by his successor in several key issues.
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