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| The Guardian view on Barack Obama in Europe: a visit in Trump’s shadow The Guardian view on Barack Obama in Europe: a visit in Trump’s shadow | |
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| Barack Obama’s three-day visit to Europe this week, the last of his presidency, is inevitably overshadowed by the capture of the White House by the man whose victory he tried but failed to prevent. Donald Trump’s values, or lack of them, are in stark contrast to those that have tied the two continents since 1945. His campaign pledges have shaken Europe’s confidence to the core. His victory has turned a trip that was originally intended to showcase Mr Obama’s foreign policy legacy into a US damage limitation exercise. | Barack Obama’s three-day visit to Europe this week, the last of his presidency, is inevitably overshadowed by the capture of the White House by the man whose victory he tried but failed to prevent. Donald Trump’s values, or lack of them, are in stark contrast to those that have tied the two continents since 1945. His campaign pledges have shaken Europe’s confidence to the core. His victory has turned a trip that was originally intended to showcase Mr Obama’s foreign policy legacy into a US damage limitation exercise. |
| The choice of a first stop in Greece, birthplace of democracy, was originally intended to convey strong symbolism, as well as to express support for the kind of debt relief that Alexis Tsipras’s government has long been asking for. Mr Obama’s aides have indicated that Wednesday’s speech in Athens will focus on democratic governance and the need for “more inclusive growth” in the face of globalisation and its inequalities. The president may now have to add a new section about the challenges that confront American democracy too. | The choice of a first stop in Greece, birthplace of democracy, was originally intended to convey strong symbolism, as well as to express support for the kind of debt relief that Alexis Tsipras’s government has long been asking for. Mr Obama’s aides have indicated that Wednesday’s speech in Athens will focus on democratic governance and the need for “more inclusive growth” in the face of globalisation and its inequalities. The president may now have to add a new section about the challenges that confront American democracy too. |
| That Mr Trump’s first contact with a foreign politician was with Nigel Farage has not calmed European fears. Mr Obama will not be meeting any of the continent’s far-right politicians who, like Mr Farage, have applauded the rise of Mr Trump as a vindication of their own views. But the threat from leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán or challengers like France’s Marine Le Pen looms over this visit nevertheless. Mr Obama is determined to calm Europe’s tendency to panic and adopt separate approaches to common problems. In Berlin, after talks with Chancellor Merkel – whom he has called “my closest partner in the past eight years” – he will meet Theresa May, François Hollande, Italy’s prime minister Matteo Renzi, and Spain’s Mariano Rajoy. Much is required of all of them at such a serious moment. | That Mr Trump’s first contact with a foreign politician was with Nigel Farage has not calmed European fears. Mr Obama will not be meeting any of the continent’s far-right politicians who, like Mr Farage, have applauded the rise of Mr Trump as a vindication of their own views. But the threat from leaders like Hungary’s Viktor Orbán or challengers like France’s Marine Le Pen looms over this visit nevertheless. Mr Obama is determined to calm Europe’s tendency to panic and adopt separate approaches to common problems. In Berlin, after talks with Chancellor Merkel – whom he has called “my closest partner in the past eight years” – he will meet Theresa May, François Hollande, Italy’s prime minister Matteo Renzi, and Spain’s Mariano Rajoy. Much is required of all of them at such a serious moment. |
| Mr Obama has come to argue that there will be more continuity than disruption in the US-Europe relationship. From his first conversation with Mr Trump, he has drawn the conclusion that his successor has “great interest in maintaining our core strategic relationships” and that there will be “no weakening” of US “resolve” in upholding “alliances that are vital”. So far, however, Mr Trump has not quite said as much himself, in public at least. There are far more questions than answers about the evolution of US foreign policy. These uncertainties are felt acutely in Europe, not least because of Russia’s new assertiveness and the glee with which it has welcomed Mr Trump’s election. | Mr Obama has come to argue that there will be more continuity than disruption in the US-Europe relationship. From his first conversation with Mr Trump, he has drawn the conclusion that his successor has “great interest in maintaining our core strategic relationships” and that there will be “no weakening” of US “resolve” in upholding “alliances that are vital”. So far, however, Mr Trump has not quite said as much himself, in public at least. There are far more questions than answers about the evolution of US foreign policy. These uncertainties are felt acutely in Europe, not least because of Russia’s new assertiveness and the glee with which it has welcomed Mr Trump’s election. |
| Speculation that the transatlantic community is on the verge of destruction may be exaggerated. But Mr Obama will need more than eloquence to reassure Europeans. It was a striking coincidence that, as Air Force One landed in Greece on Tuesday, news came of Russia’s intensified offensive in Syria. Greece is the country to which thousands of Syrians escaped in 2015, an event that upended European politics and has shaken its institutions, not least in the Brexit vote. | Speculation that the transatlantic community is on the verge of destruction may be exaggerated. But Mr Obama will need more than eloquence to reassure Europeans. It was a striking coincidence that, as Air Force One landed in Greece on Tuesday, news came of Russia’s intensified offensive in Syria. Greece is the country to which thousands of Syrians escaped in 2015, an event that upended European politics and has shaken its institutions, not least in the Brexit vote. |
| Mr Obama’s messages this week about democracy and the need for a “strong, integrated and united Europe” are necessary and serious. They echo the speech he gave earlier this year in Hanover. “You can be confident that your greatest ally and friend, the United States of America, stands with you, shoulder to shoulder, now and for ever,” he said then. But it is Mr Trump who will dispose now, not Mr Obama. | Mr Obama’s messages this week about democracy and the need for a “strong, integrated and united Europe” are necessary and serious. They echo the speech he gave earlier this year in Hanover. “You can be confident that your greatest ally and friend, the United States of America, stands with you, shoulder to shoulder, now and for ever,” he said then. But it is Mr Trump who will dispose now, not Mr Obama. |
| Europe’s problems are many, complex and evolving. Some have been caused by external shocks. Others are self-inflicted, not least in Greece. Mr Obama is right to highlight that finding a path to economic growth remains vital, and Greece is a good place to say it. But the words he confidently pronounced in April about the bond between America and “the people of Europe” now seem fragile and contingent. Mr Obama’s grace cannot disguise the fact that this farewell tour to Europe carries with it more foreboding than optimism. | Europe’s problems are many, complex and evolving. Some have been caused by external shocks. Others are self-inflicted, not least in Greece. Mr Obama is right to highlight that finding a path to economic growth remains vital, and Greece is a good place to say it. But the words he confidently pronounced in April about the bond between America and “the people of Europe” now seem fragile and contingent. Mr Obama’s grace cannot disguise the fact that this farewell tour to Europe carries with it more foreboding than optimism. |