In “New Cold War with China”, Germany Demands Europe and US Stand Together

BERLIN, KOMPAS.com – A German official suggested that Europe and the United States stand together in the face of a “new Cold War with China” regardless of the November election results.

Germany’s Coordinator for Relations with the United States and Canada, Peter Beyer, insisted there were more shared interests than differences between Europe and the US.

"Europe has got to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the US to face the huge challenge of China," he said.

"The new Cold War between the United States and China has already begun and will shape this century."

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After four years of frequent friction between Donald Trump and Angela Merkel on issues including Iran, trade, NATO, and the climate, Beyer said it was no secret that Germany would find it easier to work with Joe Biden.

"I'm the last person who's so naive to say 'If Biden wins, everything will be super, it's the beginning of a golden age'," he said.

"The controversial issues won't go away overnight but with Biden, the transatlantic friendship would become more reasonable, calculable and reliable again."

'Won't be better'

On China and Iran, citizens of Europe and the United States had "similar, sometimes identical interests", Beyer said.

"That's why I'm frustrated that we can't find a common denominator right now" on issues including support for the World Health Organisation amid the coronavirus pandemic, ways to rein in Iran's nuclear ambitions, and tackling climate change.

But he insisted that despite the high stakes of the November election, Trump's reelection would not bring the implosion of the West, citing enduring close cooperation with members of Congress and many US states.

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"It won't all be grim if Trump two comes. But it also won't be better," he said.

"Who is sitting in the White House is essential. But it can't dominate the transatlantic friendship. Washington and especially the United States aren't just the Oval Office."