Where Are Our Friends in the US?

Not too long ago, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took off on his trip around Europe on an “America Seeks Allies” campaign. During his tour he spat all over China and Russia, asserting that he wanted to help countries in the region stand up to the Russian and Chinese effort to divide the European Union and NATO.

The chief American diplomat, who had more than 200 American bases around the world watching his back during the trip, tried to defame Russia for supposedly attempting to undermine freedom in the world. The U.S. has long sought allies in Europe, he said. But I’m not sure that’s the correct term for those who are wiretapped, coerced into buying overpriced goods, and manipulated into making decisions which favor international corporations dominated by the American banks that caused the economic crisis in 2008. And they’ve had success with some people, thanks to elaborate propaganda. Donald Trump’s team really is capable of anything and has a strong enough stomach to throw allies, with whom they’ve recently engaged in mutual backslapping, overboard at any time. Or seize a consignment of necessary medical supplies or safety equipment for dealing with the pandemic from them.

The U.S. can suddenly turn into a competitor or a downright enemy. At a time when we’re getting into the thick of things and should be cooperating maximally and helping each other, the American president has slammed the door, not just on the EU, but on all of Europe.

They say the infection was “planted” in the U.S by travelers from Europe. Indeed, that assertion, which smacks of a thief crying, “Stop thief!” was disproven long ago.

I believe that the whole world will soon conquer the coronavirus. I’m also certain that the United States will soon shake itself off, following the pandemic, and will once again initiate a worldwide publicity campaign of “Who’s to blame?” I hope that this time, some people will finally have their wits about them and remember who helped us in this difficult time and who turned their backs.

Vojtech Filip is first deputy-chair of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament and chair of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia