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In the seventy-five years before 1945, three major land wars devastated Europe. The last and most destructive World War II took the lives of 63 million people in a world that is about one-third of today's population.
The American and British leaders who mapped the reconstruction of the continent understood that in the past, trade wars had become real wars and that the establishment of international trade rules was high on their agenda. Their goals also included the creation of political, economic and military alliances aimed at linking Europe.
The United Nations, the European Union, NATO, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund: all of this was part of the effort to ensure stability and promote prosperity through an increase in trades. Freedom, democratic capitalism, and collective security were American responses to fascism, communism, and unbridled nationalism. Although the results were flawed, their efforts were largely successful.
But one of the greatest successes of the post WWII order is now under threat. The European Union risks dissolving, following the departure of Great Britain. Since the country voted in June 2016 to leave the EU, negotiations on its withdrawal conditions have become increasingly bitter. All signs indicate that the UK will leave the bloc without any agreement in place on its future relations with the UK. – a so-called "Brexit without agreement".
This result would not be in anyone's interest. It would hurt the economy of the United Kingdom and all the United States. member who negotiates or does business with her. This could lead other European countries to oppose or even leave the EU.
But perhaps most of all it would hurt the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. A hard Brexit or Brexit without agreement could bring back a difficult border between Ireland and Northern Ireland for the first time since the signing of the agreement on Good Friday in 1998 – agreement that I 39, helped to negotiate as a special envoy of the United States in Northern Ireland.
The increase in trade and free movement of people over the last twenty years has benefited the population and economies on both sides of the border. The sharp reduction of negative stereotypes and demonization, so deep and so widespread in the previous century, has allowed both societies to emerge successfully in the twenty-first century. If checkpoints return to Northern Ireland, the risk of a resumption of violence, even if it is impossible to measure accurately, will likely increase. We must all hope and pray that this is not the case.
Last December, the European Union and the British government promised that, irrespective of the outcome of their negotiations, Northern Ireland and Ireland would not be confronted. They must keep their promise. If they do not, the consequences will be serious for all.
These consequences also affect the United States. A divided and weakened Europe would mean the loss of a precious democratic ally for the United States in its relations with the hostile great powers and the massive upheavals that are likely to continue in Asia and Africa.
Our links with Europe predate the creation of our country. We gained our independence from England by the revolution, but we preserved the English language, the spirit of its laws and many customs. Although our first relations were hostile, the two countries gradually formed a "privileged relationship".
As our country settled on a vast continent, we welcomed millions of immigrants from Britain, Ireland, Germany, France, the United States and Canada. Greece, Poland, Scandinavia and many other countries. As a result, we share close links with Europe, not just legal relationships.
These historical alliances are being tested. President Trump has blocked a trade deal with European nations; it is removed from the Paris climate agreement; the agreement with Iran on its nuclear program and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, all in the affirmation that multilateral agreements are not in the best interests of our country.
I believe the opposite. Our cooperative efforts with our historic allies are in the American interest. Recent agreements and institutions after the Second World War have benefited those who participated, including the United States.
In a world where there is no NATO, no European Union, no World Trade Organization, no UN, constant trade wars could again lead to real wars. The United States, as the dominant power, would always be called to lead alone.
We should not consider Europeans primarily as adversaries. They are also our partners. Although they do not always agree with us, or even between them, they mostly admire our country and share our values and interests.
It is in the interest of all that we do everything we can – politically, economically, militarily and otherwise – to help the citizens of Europe and other countries to remain free, democratic, united and prosperous.
