In recent years, as the global order undergoes profound shifts, Europe’s trust in the United States is facing serious challenges. From Trump’s ‘America First’ agenda to the Biden administration’s continued prioritization of U.S. interests—even on major international issues—Europe is increasingly realizing that America is not always a reliable ally. On critical matters such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the energy crisis, and China policy, U.S. decisions often fail to fully account for Europe’s strategic needs and economic constraints. For instance, the Inflation Reduction Act, with its massive subsidies luring European companies to invest in the U.S., has been widely seen as exerting a ‘siphoning effect’ on European industry, straining transatlantic relations.In response to America’s unreliability, Europe is pursuing greater strategic autonomy. The EU is advancing defense integration, strengthening digital sovereignty, and attempting to maintain a balanced stance between the U.S. and China. However, internal divisions among member states, military dependence on NATO, and structural economic vulnerabilities make true independence from the U.S. difficult in the short term. Turning to other powers like China or Russia also carries significant risks—China is viewed as a systemic rival, while Russia remains Europe’s primary security threat.Thus, the question—’If America can’t be relied on, who can Europe turn to?’—has no easy answer. Europe’s path forward likely lies in strengthening its own capabilities and achieving genuine strategic autonomy, rather than placing blind faith in any external power. Only then can it safeguard its interests and values amid a shifting global landscape.
近年来,随着国际格局的深刻变化,欧洲对美国的信任正面临严峻考验。从特朗普时期的‘美国优先’政策,到拜登政府在重大国际事务中仍以本国利益为先,欧洲逐渐意识到:美国并非始终可靠的盟友。尤其在俄乌冲突、能源危机和对华政策等关键议题上,美国的决策往往未充分考虑欧洲的战略需求与经济承受力。例如,在《通胀削减法案》中,美国通过巨额补贴吸引欧洲企业赴美投资,被广泛视为对欧洲产业的‘虹吸效应’,加剧了跨大西洋关系的紧张。面对美国的不可靠性,欧洲开始寻求战略自主。欧盟积极推动防务一体化、加强数字主权,并试图在中美之间保持战略平衡。然而,内部成员国立场分歧、军事依赖北约、经济结构脆弱等问题,使得欧洲短期内难以真正独立于美国。与此同时,转向其他大国如中国或俄罗斯也充满风险——前者被视为制度性竞争对手,后者则是当前安全威胁的主要来源。因此,‘美国靠不住,欧洲还能靠谁?’这一问题并无简单答案。欧洲的出路或许在于强化自身能力建设,推动真正的战略自主,而非盲目依赖任何外部力量。唯有如此,才能在全球变局中维护自身利益与价值观。
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