651. Divided at the centre: Germany, Poland, and the troubles of the Trump era
- Author:
- Piotr Buras and Josef Janning
- Publication Date:
- 12-2018
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- European Council On Foreign Relations
- Abstract:
- Berlin and Warsaw have very different ideas about how to respond to the challenge Trump’s presidency poses to Europe. While Germany emphasises the need to strengthen Europe’s resilience and unity, the Polish response has been to embrae the opportunities of the new political reality and enhance its bilateral partnership with the US. These differing approaches may aggravate the crisis in the Polish-German bilateral relationship and negatively affect the European Union’s defence integration and arms control policies. Warsaw should use NATO as the framework for discussions on strengthening the American military presence in Poland. Germany should be open to a strategic debate on the issue and no longer hide behind concerns about the NATO-Russia Founding Act (which Russia has abrogated). Instead of talking about “European sovereignty”, Poland and Germany should join other member states in clearly defining the vulnerabilities that the EU as a whole must address, including those resulting from US policy.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus