CommentsGELFAND’S WORLD--My interest in film history has nothing to do with this column except that it has recently allowed me to talk with people from all over the world as we chatted at film festivals.
The publisher of CityWatch wondered what I would learn if I asked Brits and Europeans how their attitudes have changed towards America since Trump took office. The results are, I think, a little surprising -- at least in one case. In another, they are not really surprising, but should be treated as alarming.
The View from the Continent
In a friendly conversation with a gentleman from The Netherlands, the alarming part of the story came through. Let me summarize a few points taken from my notes:
Over the past couple of decades, Europeans came to recognize (at least from their point of view) that when it came to continental issues, there was a political balance among the U.S., China, and the European Union (EU). If one apex of the triangle got a little crazy, the other two were there to bring a calming influence. I suspect that most Americans don't think of European relations in this way.
The other bit of background is this: In the post World War II era, the Europeans relied on the Americans for leadership -- in this way, stability was instituted and maintained. Institutions such as NATO looked to the United States not only for funding but for military and political leadership.
The blunt assessment by my Dutch friend is that to the Europeans, the United States is less and less to be trusted. Trump's actions in undermining NATO are, by themselves, enough to drive this view.
Thus the conclusion among Europeans -- something that ought to be alarming to those of us on this side of the Atlantic -- is that Europe is no longer able to trust the United States for leadership that benefits the continent as a whole. Europe is therefore required (of necessity) to develop its own autonomy. The result is lessening American influence in that part of the world.
This signifies a reduction of American power, a fact that can be blamed on Trump directly.
The last part as told to me by the Dutchman was that from the European standpoint, the current American condition presents some humor. I must confess that I didn't truly appreciate this point, but it was not entirely mystifying. Apparently the Europeans are both groaning at our ineptitude and at the same time, giggling at us.
A Chat with a Brit
I also had a chance to sit down with my old colleague Mark Fuller, a film expert from Bristol, England.
I asked whether the English attitude towards America or Americans had changed substantially since the Trump takeover. His answer would be surprising to most Americans I should think. He explained that the radical conservative takeover of the American government is not shocking to the Brits because "It's happening all over." The upcoming exit of the U.K. from the European Union (the "Brexit") is enough of a problem to keep the Brits focused on their own problems right now.
The Brits, at least according to my colleague, recognize "that the U.S. government has gone insane, but they don't blame the voters. They recognize that Trump lost the popular vote." It's interesting that Americans pretty much accept the reality of Electoral College victories coming from voting minorities, but in this case, the Brits recognize it as a particular flaw in the system.
Mark went on to explain some of what is happening on the continent. As he opined, there is a worldwide push by wealthy right wing interests to elect conservative parties all over the EU. He viewed the right wing movement in Britain as particularly venal, as it treats the proper role of government as protecting the interests of the most wealthy -- in other words, preserving the power of those we refer to as the one percent. Apparently this right wing axis views the rest of us as no better than parasites when it comes to the economy (his words, not mine).
By the way, Mark backed up his views by citing a number of books and articles. I told him that one of my first conclusions was that he seemed to be a lot better appraised of U.S. politics than we are of theirs. I've noticed a similar tendency on the part of other Europeans I've spoken to over the years. They recognize the importance of American power and show concern that we execute it responsibly. More than one has done some variation of the joke, "American power is too important to be left to the Americans."
To confused Americans, what was/is Brexit all about?
I got into a chat with another Brit about the reasons that the British people supported (admittedly by a thin margin) the move to leave the EU. I asked whether it was the refugee crisis that provoked the pro-Brexit majority. Apparently it wasn't so much this as another closely related question. Under EU rules, workers from any of the EU countries have the right to move freely and to work anywhere within the EU. Thus English laborers can find themselves competing for jobs with workers from any of the other 27 EU nations. Of course it works both ways, with Brits able to apply for jobs in France, Germany, and other EU countries, but Brexit (due to come to fruition next spring) will potentially mess things up extraordinarily.
* * *
The continental point of view as seen from our side
Obviously this was a relatively small sampling, but the discussions were carried out in a spirit of friendly exchange, so I have confidence that I was getting their real feelings.
What I got from my European colleagues was not all that surprising if we remember all the moves Trump has made to damage the strength and integrity of our western alliance. As was pointed out early on, Trump is acting as if he works for Putin rather than for the interests of the American people. The residents of the U.K. and the EU have gotten the point. They ought to, considering that they are the target zone for Trump's attacks on western power.
The more recent statement by Trump that he will pull the U.S. out of the intermediate range missile treaty with Russia should alarm and outrage the European continent as a whole. It's one more nail in the coffin of U.S. - European relations.
* * *
The revelation that Trump's cell phone conversations have been available to the Russians and the Chinese should have been no big surprise. From the standpoint of this article, the story is consistent with the increasing European distrust of American actions; if the president won't even keep his own secrets, how can he be trusted to defend continental interests? This is also another indication of Republican Party hypocrisy -- you remember all the flurry about Hillary Clinton's email server? I'm not seeing a lot of Republican concern about the fact that transcripts of conversations between Trump and Sean Hannity are being placed on Putin's desk at this very moment.
And Trump's response? He seems to lack the capacity for embarrassment, much less shame.
* * *
The Best Tee shirt Inscription seen at a recent film festival: "Big Foot saw me, but nobody believes him."
(Bob Gelfand writes on science, culture, and politics for CityWatch. He can be reached at [email protected])
-cw
