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24 May 2011
Deutsche Welle interviews GPPi researcher on Obama visit to Europe
On the occasion of US President Obama´s five-day visit to Europe, Deutsche Welle radio conducted an interview with GPPi Associate Director Thorsten Benner about the current state of transatlantic relations. The interview ran on the Newslink Plus program on 23 May 2011 (audio link).
Asked whether President Obama neglects Europe, Benner argued that “it is a simple fact of life that unlike 20 or 25 years ago an American president does not need to lose his or her sleep over Europe,” which is a good sign, one that should be welcomed rather than bemoaned by Europeans. Europe, Benner argued, is still America´s preferred partner – but not for the sake of holding hands but for tackling global challenges that affect both Europe and the US.
For this “global Atlanticist” partnership to work well, Benner emphasized that Europe has to increasingly learn to speak with a single voice and offer a coherent perspective on global problems. As a basis, European leaders need to more forcefully deal with the Euro crisis and the populist anti-European backlash that increasingly threatens to cripple the EU. Speaking with a single voice will also lower transaction costs for the Obama administration, which is increasingly frustrated over having to deal bilaterally with all EU members (many of which state a claim to a “special relationship” with the US) in addition to dealing with van Rompuy, Lady Ashton and Barroso.
When ask about the IMF succession debate, Benner hypothesized that the US will end up supporting the European candidate for the position of IMF managing director “out of convenience and self-interest.” The US has no interest in being lectured on its unsustainable fiscal policies by a non-Western head of the IMF and much prefers a European who will have his or her eyes set on dealing with the Euro crisis. Regarding the two-day G8 summit in Deauville, Benner argued that the summit is unlikely to produce any meaningful results, which demonstrates that the G-8 format has increasingly outlived its usefulness beyond serving as a meeting point for discussions on the issues of the day and a focal point for bilateral side consultations.
Benner closed by stating that European leaders should use the visit to remind Obama of the one big neglect of his presidency: tackling the issue of climate change with vigor both domestically and internationally.
To listen to the interview, please click here (from minute 09:10).
For further information please contact Thorsten Benner.