Vance interferes in European affairs with nativist bigotry

Editor's note: Hamzah Rifaat Hussain, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a host for ThinkTech Hawaii, a digital media company in Hawaii. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance used the Munich Security Conference (MSC) to launch a scathing attack on the state of European democracy. His comments on European capitals "retreating from their values," sidelining voter concerns over migration, as well as "free speech" lacked empirical evidence and angered many European leaders.

His comments, however, had nothing to do with European democracy. They were about promoting white supremacy, nativism, racism and far-right bigotry in Europe. They also constituted brazen interference in Europe to prevent sovereign governments from adopting pragmatic foreign policies and working towards a multilateral world order.

Trump's non-interference mantra belied

All EU member states are sovereign countries who have adopted policies consistent with domestic and international realities. These are democracies resisting American pressure and far-right proclivities. Also, Vance's remarks belie the Trump administration's so called non-interference mantra, which has historically characterized Donald Trump's foreign policy.

Vance's remarks have nothing to do with the state of democracy in Europe and everything to do with preventing European governments from adopting shrewd, apolitical and visionary policies. It is hence, unsurprising that they were rejected by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who expressed dismay over his push to have European governments accommodate the views of far-right parties.

In truth, the United States has no business dictating terms and conditions to the democratic dispensations in Europe. The freedom of speech argument by Vance also rings hollow given that unlike the United States, Europe has only controlled the voices that threaten domestic stability and disseminate disinformation, fallacies and factually incorrect statements. Such far-right voices, promoted by Vance, are detrimental to public well-being, multilateralism and integration.

This clearly suggests that this is not about freedom of speech as Vance suggested but a concerted push by Washington D.C. to influence European policy making. The Trump administration is working on an agenda to ensure that major European countries witness dynamics similar to that which unfolded in Washington D.C. such as Trump signing executive orders allowing conspiracy theories to penetrate into public discourse and the dissemination of disinformation.

U.S. against pragmatism

For the Trump administration, Europe's adoption of such sovereign domestic and international policies is a threat to the more assertive and unilateral approach the United States has adopted that harms global trade, integration and amicable ties between countries.

This includes preventing European states from adopting pragmatic policies such as building constructive ties with China. Latest estimates show the EU's trade with China in 2024 stood at approximately $762 billion, making China the bloc's second largest trading partner.

China's exports such as energy products and electronics have helped Europe's green and digital transition and also helped reduce inflation in the member states. Similarly, European exports of machinery and investments by companies such as BMW, Volkswagen and Stellantis in China have contributed to China's economic growth.

For Vance, however, Europe adopting such sovereign foreign policies is a "problem," which necessitates attacking the continent's democratic credentials. The United States under Trump administration wishes to see a European continent which decouples itself from China, harms its people with populist rhetoric and pushes back against global integration.

Also, Vance's aggressive castigation of European democracy bodes ill for transatlantic ties. U.S. economic policies driven by Trump's nationalistic sentiment can result in investment uncertainties in European markets such as domestic companies (which have been operating without any problem in China) being hindered from entering the U.S. market. This will negatively impact employment prospects, revenue generation and the overall economic wellbeing of European countries.

Moreover, U.S. criticism of European democratic institutions can lead to U.S. pressure on trade agreements and negotiations between the United States and Europe, negatively influencing the global supply chains which are so critical for the overall wealth and stability of the world economy.

Additionally, the new American stance can cause the pillars of global governance to erode. This includes multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, which are critical for resolving disputes, conflicts and wars through consensus building among UN members.

So far, however, Vance is losing. Though populist leaders may gain some ground in certain European countries, it is not a universal trend. However, the U.S. quest to divide and fracture Europe on populist grounds continues. It is clear that Vance's remarks at the MSC on European democracy are not about democracy but about interference and bigotry.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)