The inauguration of Joe Biden <!––> raises huge hopes across the pond. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced that the relief was great. But Donald Trump hardly did <!––> Moved to Florida, it’s back again: the transfigured, sometimes romantically naive view of the USA as the oversized protector who will now restore order – often followed by criticism of the interference of “Big Brother”.
Joschka Fischer lived through the tensions between – mostly left-wing – idealism and pragmatic government action in all its breadth. The first green foreign minister warned the federal government on Wednesday. “We will have to do more for our own security,” advises the “Elder Statesman” to his successor – and meant the NATO goal of spending two percent of gross domestic product on defense, which is still controversial in the social democracy. “The best diplomacy, the best non-military policy, is not taken seriously in the international arena if it is not supported militarily,” he adds.
When the pathos of Biden’s inauguration has subsided, sober interests come to the fore again. Then you will see that Biden is well-disposed towards the EU and wants to take a leading role in many common institutions. But he will not be able to care much about European sensitivities. Biden is challenged domestically and will focus primarily on China in terms of foreign policy – like his predecessors. Like Trump, Biden is also “tough on China”. He sees the country as the greatest security risk. Berlin and the EU should speak out much more strongly with their own suggestions not only on climate protection, but also on the joint course towards Beijing.
Germany – because of the corona pandemic and the upcoming end of the Merkel era, has been very busy with itself – cannot afford a deep sleep in foreign policy. After the Trump trauma, the US and Europeans should work together to bring a whole bunch of issues forward, from trade to technology. Berlin cannot wait to see what the new administration could ask for. Acting proactively is what this is called in new German. The momentum is here.
–