The Cost of American Hegemony for Europeans Will Increase*

*Editor’s note: On March 4, 2022, Russia enacted a law that criminalizes public opposition to, or independent news reporting about, the war in Ukraine. The law makes it a crime to call the war a “war” rather than a “special military operation” on social media or in a news article or broadcast. The law is understood to penalize any language that “discredits” Russia’s use of its military in Ukraine, calls for sanctions or protests Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It punishes anyone found to spread “false information” about the invasion with up to 15 years in prison.

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Biden is considered a lame duck in Europe.

Europe currently sees Joe Biden as a sudden lame duck, a view which emerged last summer. As a result, his state visit to Germany is primarily ceremonial. After all, this is the first such visit since Ronald Reagan, and it would be a shame to cancel it entirely due to a hurricane that inconveniently arrived just a month before the American election.

Europeans are now holding their breath, waiting for the election results. Even if Kamala Harris wins, others will come to power. Donald Trump is feared even by those who are already preparing to adapt to the possibility he will return to the White House. Overall, dependence on the boss is a heavy burden.

Lastly, Europeans feel that, regardless of who wins on Nov. 5, America’s attention to Europe will diminish, while there will be greater pressure on Europeans to invest more in the shared goal of defending American hegemony.

In other words, Europeans will have to pay one way or another, it’s just that Trump tells you the price upfront – 2% of gross domestic product. However, that’s just the beginning; the bar is now rising. And, of course, once again, it’s “Buy American!”