In a speech at a security conference in The Hague this week, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten indicated that US-Netherlands and broader EU relations are unlikely to go back to the pre-Trump dynamic.
The NextGen security conference served as a platform to discuss “the security landscape of tomorrow” and to shape the “fundamentally different” future of security.
Jetten spoke at the event, saying, “It is naive to think that with a new American president we will go back to the past,” reports RTL Nieuws.
What does that mean?
Jetten argued for greater European independence in security management, reports AD.
“The tone of our old friends across the Atlantic has undeniably become harsher and more critical,” he said. Rather than pondering this change of heart, however, he believes in embracing it.
After years of “piggybacking” off American security guarantees, Jetten argues that Europeans must ask themselves a tough question.
“What are we, as Europeans, going to do to better ourselves for all the inhabitants of our beautiful countries?” he asked.
Coalitions and looking forward
This attitude is shared by many prominent European leaders.
Earlier this year, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated that “an independent Europe is a strong Europe. And a strong Europe makes for a stronger transatlantic alliance.”
Jetten’s words this week echoed von der Leyen’s commitment to coordination. According to AD, the prime minister said, “In this new geopolitical era, building new coalitions is essential.”
His message is clear: rather than mourning the loss of a transatlantic friendship, Europe needs to be realistic and focus on getting stronger on its own.
What do you think about Jetten’s comments? Let us know!
Renew Europe Now !!!D66💪
Putin’s strategy to drive à wedge between Europe and the US has worked pretty well. His invasion of Ukraine has shown us that we need to look to our own defences now in order to protect ourselves, no one can rely on the US government for
protection right now, not even its people
As a Dutch American it makes me sad to think that we won’t be working together closely in the future. I do think that it’s wise for Europeans to be taking care of their own security arrangements.
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