JD Vance, the U.S. vice president, has expressed admiration for iconic French postwar leader Charles de Gaulle, particularly regarding European military independence.
In an interview with British news and opinion website UnHerd, Vance stated that de Gaulle, who led the French World War II resistance against the Nazis and served as president from 1959 to 1969, had a nuanced understanding of Europe’s security needs.
Vance pointed out that while de Gaulle ‘loved the United States of America,’ he also recognized the importance of Europe not being a ‘permanent security vassal of the United States.’
These remarks come at a time when President Donald Trump’s administration has been increasingly vocal in its criticisms of European nations that rely heavily on American military support for their own defense.
Trump has urged NATO countries to significantly increase their defense spending from the current target of 2 percent of GDP to 5 percent, a proposal that reflects concerns about European defense readiness.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the American military presence in Europe is not guaranteed ‘forever.’
‘I don’t think that Europe being more independent is bad for the United States — it’s good for the United States,’ Vance insisted during the interview.
He referenced historical events, specifically the 1956 Suez Crisis, to emphasize the significance of European military autonomy.
In that context, Vance recalled how U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower pressured London and Paris to withdraw from military action aimed at regaining control of the Suez Canal from Egypt, highlighting a moment when European interests clashed with American directives.
Vance claimed that most European nations lack the military capabilities necessary to ensure their own reasonable defense, aside from Britain, France, and Poland.
He bluntly stated that, for his entire life, the United States has subsidized the security infrastructure of Europe.
De Gaulle, who had been shaped by the political dynamics surrounding the Suez Crisis, often cautioned that Europe should strive for greater independence from U.S. influence.
He worked toward making the French military more self-reliant by developing nuclear capabilities and establishing a robust defense industry.
This concept of European autonomy has echoed throughout history and continues to resonate, inspiring initiatives like the ‘strategic autonomy’ advocated by current French President Emmanuel Macron.
Vance also weighed in on the European response to the American-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
He described the military campaign as a ‘strategic disaster’ and noted that European nations, particularly France and Germany, were vocal in their opposition while Britain supported the invasion.
He argued that European skepticism about the war was largely justified but suggested that a more independent Europe might have been able to take a firmer stance to halt the war effort.
‘I love European people,’ Vance remarked, attempting to balance his criticism with affection for European culture.
He emphasized that American culture cannot be separated from its European roots, influenced by the philosophies and migration patterns that shaped the United States.
However, he stressed the pressing need for European leaders to invest more in their own security.
Vance’s comments reflect a growing discourse around European military capability and its implications for transatlantic relations in the context of changing geopolitical dynamics.
image source from：https://www.politico.eu/article/jd-vance-europe-permanent-security-vassal-united-states/
