From the end of WWII, it was crystal clear to
experts in international relations that Europe would be treated as a hostage
and not as an equal stake holder by America.
US aid, NATO, Bretton Wood Sisters rules based International order are
instruments for managing the hostage. Trump made it very official now:
Europe was paying homage to the hegemon since the
closure of the WWII. The situation changed to reverence with the end of Cold War
in 1989 as the demise of Soviet Union heralded celebrations throughout Europe.
Erstwhile Soviet countries became independent and with that EU got more
enlarged.
Trump roared: Either
Denmark allows Trump to buy Greenland at a negotiated price or leave the world’s
largest island promptly so that US forces can take control. Already, America
has one active military base in Greenland, known as Pituffik Space Base. About
200 US army personnel are manning it and another 600 support staff are employed
few of them from Canada & Denmark. America also have the right to re-open all
closed up facilities at any time as she wishes.
As the debate on taking over Greenland gets heated
Trump does not hide how he would treat Europe as a hostage for achieving his goals. Here comes the
clincher: Trump announced a 10% tariff on imports from several European
countries who stand between his craving and supporting Denmark whose autonomous
province is the Greenland. Eight countries are targeted: five are from the
Nordic side namely Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, while
three are powerhouses namely, France, Germany and UK.
The tariff is
scaled. First salvo of 10% is effective from First February 2025. If Denmark
continue to persist in its refusal to handover Greenland to America the tariff
would be hiked to 25% w e f First June 2025.
Strategy analysis
1. If you read between the lines you would discern that
Southern European nations such as Portugal, Spain and Italy are spared together
with former Soviet
nations including the darling Hungary. This is divide et vince, a Roman concept of divide and conquer used in the
present age mainly by Imperial Britain.
2. Trump wants peace with Russia for geoeconomics benefit. The countries
targeted by Trump are united in supporting Ukraine to continue her war efforts
against Russia. So Trump despises them most.
3. Trump is neither sacred nor worried about
Russia. His concern is to continue as a hegemon in North Atlantic and North Pacific to a
great extent.
4. For naval strategy the control of GIUK gap -Greenland,
Iceland, and the United Kingdom - is as crucial as this choke point has vantage
over open water mass situated between the Arctic and Norwegian Seas. Besides, Trump
also requires strategic control over Denmark Strait, Prince Christian Sound, Cape
Farewell at the Southern tip of Greenland as well as Baffin Bay.
5. Arctic melting gives way for more navigable
space where Nordic countries such as Norway, Iceland, Finland, and Sweden are placed
at advantageous position to reap more from Arctic tourism revenue. Trump needs the lion share.
6. Last but not least, is his desire to continue dollar dominance by dethroning
Euro as a ruling currency in the part of Northern hemisphere
Finally it all boils down to geoeconomics. He does
not mind China as economic power and Russia as military strongman. But Trump is
not willing to accept Europe as of equal standing. Strategy amid geoeconomics
teaches him to get better of European Union in particular and Europe in general.
Cheers!
Muthu Ashraff Rajulu
Strategy Adviser
Mobile: + 94 777 265677
E-mail: cosmicgems@gmail.com
Blog: Strategy Adviser
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