BRUSSELS — Donald Trump’s decision to scrap the Iran nuclear agreement was universally deplored, yet the move underscored the chaotic nature of the United States’ relations with the rest of the world – and, primarily, its disharmonious transatlantic relationship with the “troika” of key European allies: Britain, France and Germany.
But are the European powers truly allies of Washington, or mere junior partners and vassals?
Al-Manar | May 23, 2018 The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says new US demands from Iran are totally unacceptable, vowing that Moscow will continue to work towards maintaining the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “We are concerned about the fact that the anti-Iranian campaign is on the […]
Analysis (MES) — Conventional wisdom has it that China stands to benefit from the US withdrawal from the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran, particularly if major European companies feel that the risk of running afoul of US secondary sanctions is too high.
In cooperation with the European move to preserve the JCPOA Iran nuclear deal, companies in the Netherlands are committing to preserving their participation in the Iranian market, and expanding them in the long term. Apparently, we have a situation here where America’s threats are dogs that just won’t hunt, as they don’t particularly scare everybody into compliance. As some other companies have feared a US reprisal in the event that they get busted trading with Iran, some Dutch companies are pressing forward.
It’s no secret that Germany has many deep ties with America that seem to be completely unbreachable. But in the face of Trump’s ‘America first’ policy, those ties are feeling some strain. America first, by definition, means that America’s interests, across all sectors, get the top priority above those of all others, and even in spite of them, with heavy emphasis on the ‘spite’ part.
News of the recent attendance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Moscow’s 9th May Victory Day Parade provoked a predictable range of reactions ranging from anger, dismay, denial and – on the part of some of the US’s and Israel’s friends – even a certain amount of gloating.
For an example of the latter, see for example these words by the British historian Niall Ferguson in a lengthy article hailing Donald Trump’s supposed masterstroke in pulling out of the JCPOA.
In addition to withdrawing from the 2015 UNSC Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear development program, brokered under the Obama administration, much to the dismay of each of the other signatories, the Trump admin is now looking to create an international ‘coalition’ against Iran, modeled after the 75 member coalition to defeat ISIS.
Following Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 multilateral Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, and the resumption of extraterritorial sanctions coming up close behind, Europe is left with a sticky situation.
Either they can suit their own interests and express their regret to their American partner, or, vice versa, abide by America’s foreign policy of Iranian isolation and drop all business ties with Iran.
European Council President called on European leaders to unite in response to Washington. Not only has Trump withdrawn America from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), existentially threatening the joint UNSC agreement, but reimposed economic sanctions against Iran, which, in turn, will be applied to European companies doing business with or in Iran.
Dr Can Erimtan
21st Century Wire
Many voices are nowadays claiming that the End of the American Empire is finally upon us, and President Donald J. Trump seems at pains to perform U-turns and other unexpected stunts that do appear to put the global community in peril, posing a dire threat to economic stability and political rectitude.
