In a Ross Douthat interview in today’s NYT, Elbridge Colby takes a victory lap for increased European defense spending, which is probably justified. When asked questions about Trump’s bullying tactics and predatory behavior, however, Colby essentially says that the Europeans and Canadians have nowhere else to go, so even if their citizens don’t appreciate the bullying, they will have to fall into line. Is he right?
No, for two reasons. First of all, public opinion in Europe and Canada does, in fact, matter; their voters ultimately direct policy, unlike residents of Xi’s China and Putin’s Russia. That Colby thinks it is irrelevant tells you a great deal about the mindset of the current administration. Second, the case against Canada and the EU becoming more independent or even throwing their support to China is based largely on the authoritarian nature of the Chinese regime. If interests always prevail over values in foreign affairs, why wouldn’t the Canadians and Europeans prefer a faraway, benevolent lord to one that constantly threatens to take their territory?