Heads for southern direction
US Vice President JD Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) has sparked a rift in the transatlantic relationship, with implications for Europe's relations with the Global South. The speech comes on the heels of multiple contentious issues between the US and Europe, including repeated threats by President Donald Trump to withdraw military aid from Ukraine, contemptuous Signal chats from Trump administration members, and tariff threats that blurred the line between allies and adversaries.
The breach in the transatlantic relationship, as many perceive, could serve as an opportunity for Europe's dealings with countries often labeled as the Global South or the global majority. This presents a chance for Europe to show more geopolitical empathy and pragmatism in its interactions with these states.
Following Vance's speech, representatives from Africa, in particular, expressed their satisfaction. They felt it was refreshing to see European governments now subjected to criticism that they had previously meted out. From the Global South's perspective, Europe's perceived equal footing with African, Asian, and Latin American countries has been achieved through Vance's speech, not due to any upgraded partnerships but rather as a consequence of the US's diminished support for Europe.
In the eyes of representatives from various regions, Europe has entered a harsher reality that the Global South has long been accustomed to, where preferential treatment is anomalous, and self-reliance is key. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar succinctly expressed this perception during the Munich Security Conference, using the metaphor of the jungle to depict an anarchic international order. According to Jaishankar, only those who have experienced a rough world in the past see more opportunities than risks in current upheavals.
As a result, there is hope that a realpolitik-driven Europe will engage more actively and pragmatically with governments worldwide in the future. Some anticipate Brussels will define its geopolitical interests more independently and separately from Washington, potentially leading to new partnerships emerging. Europe's "strategic awakening," as Jaishankar referred to it, could foster closer partnerships, especially in areas like security, defense, and technology cooperation.
There is also optimism that a Europe influenced by realpolitik will approach governments across the world more proactively and pragmatically. As smaller and medium-sized states increasingly align with Brussels' interests, which include advocating for free global trade, adherence to international norms, and multi-lateral cooperation to tackle global crises like climate change, Europe might find itself in a stronger position to partner with these nations.
Conversely, there are concerns that Europe's improved relationship with the Global South may not cement itself if Europe fails to prove itself a more reliable partner than the US, which has historically pursued its own interests under the Trump administration. According to some critics, Europe must offer more attractive and pragmatic deals to substantiate its claims of mutually beneficial partnerships, prioritizing the perceived benefits of others over its own, even if it means compromising on environmental standards or liberal-democratic values.
European Union High Representative Kaja Kallas attempted to position Europe as a more reliable partner for the Global South at the MSC. However, her self-assessment was met with skepticism by those who cited the withdrawal from Afghanistan, vaccine hoarding during the COVID-19 pandemic, and lengthy trade agreement negotiations as evidence that Europe is not as reliable as it purports to be.
- The rift in the transatlantic relationship, as some argue, sets the stage for Europe to focus on policy-and-legislation and politics regarding war-and-conflicts, general-news, and engagements with the Global South, offering an opportunity to display geopolitical empathy and pragmatism.
- As the Global South perceives a harsher reality in international affairs, there is optimism that a realpolitik-driven Europe will foster closer partnerships, especially in security, defense, and technology cooperation, provided Europe offers attractive and pragmatic deals and prioritizes the benefits of others over its own, even if it means compromising on certain values.
