The US and EU Clash in a "Civilization War" (Part 1): America Uses "Civilizational Collapse" to Intimidate Europe and Pursue Its Own Interests

Source: Global Times

【Special Correspondent An Yue in France, Global Times Reporter Li Meng, Special Correspondent Li Jing】Editor’s Note: Since the Marshall Plan after World War II and during the Cold War era of interest entanglements, US-Europe relations remained stable for a long time. However, in recent years, this transatlantic alliance has experienced continuous disagreements and conflicts in security, defense, trade, and other fields. The European Union, once a partner in shared values, has even been labeled by the US government as “possibly facing the risk of cultural extinction.” Starting today, Global Times will launch the “Transatlantic Relations” column, tracking the game and cooperation between the US and Europe across different domains, analyzing the deep logic behind their intertwined interests and divergences, and observing the shifts and restructuring in the Western world. In the series “The ‘Civilization War’ Between the US and Europe,” we will tell you how the US has used “civilization” issues to challenge Europe, what differences exist in their understanding of “Western civilization,” and the real purpose behind Washington’s actions.

Using official and civilian channels to promote MAGA ideas in Europe

The US-led escort operation through the Strait of Hormuz was rejected by many European countries. The rift between the US and Europe continues to widen, not only on escort issues but also on civilization matters. Besides claiming in its national security strategy report that Europe faces “the danger of cultural extinction,” the US has also been exposed for promoting the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) ideology to Europe through official and civilian channels. These moves have been interpreted by media outlets like The Guardian and think tanks as the US launching a “civilization war” or “culture war” against Europe.

Since the current US administration took office, it has consistently criticized the EU on “civilization” issues. In March last year, Vice President Kamala Harris stated in an interview that Europe “faces the risk of falling into cultural self-destruction.” Nine months later, the US declared in its national security strategy report that Europe is at risk of “civilizational demise” due to “immigration policies, censorship of free speech, suppression of opposition, and loss of national identity.”

Beyond officials and official channels, some conservative think tanks and scholars in the US also seem to complain about Europe on civilization issues. Margaret Thatcher Freedom Center director Gaidina, affiliated with the Heritage Foundation, previously posted online claiming that only by “abolishing the EU” can Western civilization be saved and the prospects of the transatlantic alliance improved. She argued that while the US cannot unilaterally abolish the EU, it can actively support efforts across Europe to pursue “national sovereignty and self-determination,” challenging EU authority.

This aligns with the content of the recent US national security strategy report, which states that the US must “cultivate resistance forces” on the European continent to prevent “Europe’s current development trend.” The Guardian pointed out that this report highlights US support for far-right political parties in Europe.

The current US government has indeed strengthened ties with conservative and even far-right parties in Europe. In February last year, Vice President Vance criticized Europe at the Munich Security Conference and then met with leaders of the far-right German Alternative for Germany (AfD). This broke a taboo in German politics and was widely seen as a move by the White House to rally and support far-right parties across Europe. On March 4 this year, mid-level officials from various European nationalist populist parties attended the “Sovereign Nations Alliance” conference in Washington, organized by Republican Congressman Luna from Florida, with House Speaker Johnson participating and supported by the conservative nonprofit “America First.”

The “Political News Network” also cited sources saying that in September last year, parliamentarians from several German parties visited the White House with plans to meet with US State Department officials. However, US officials reportedly only agreed to meet with representatives from right-wing and far-right parties. The meeting was ultimately canceled due to opposition from multiple German parliamentarians.

In addition to official contacts, several Western media outlets, including the Financial Times, have disclosed that the US is adjusting its foreign aid programs to promote MAGA ideas in Europe. Led by US Deputy Secretary of State Rojers, the focus is on think tanks in the UK, France, and Germany. The Heritage Foundation provided US officials with a list of European think tanks aligned with the MAGA movement.

Last May, US State Department senior advisor Sanson visited several European countries, meeting with local NGOs and social groups. US officials have also held preliminary talks with representatives of France’s pro-MAGA think tank “Western Arc” and the UK’s conservative “Freedom of Speech Alliance” regarding funding.

A US government spokesperson responded to questions about funding European organizations by saying, “This is a transparent and legal way to promote US interests and values abroad.”

Deep disagreements over the definition of “the West”

Regarding these US actions, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) describes them as “a cultural war sweeping across Europe.” The think tank states that from Vance’s speech in Munich last year to the recent US national security strategy, the current US government has been promoting the view that Europe has deviated from the shared transatlantic cultural tradition and faces “civilizational extinction.” The Guardian noted that the US’s national security strategy essentially declares “civilization war” against the EU and its values. The New York Times reports that the White House aims to ignite a civilizational battle over the essence of “America’s homeland” versus “Europe’s homeland,” centered on race and Judeo-Christian faith.

Diplomacy University professor Li Haidong told the Global Times that “Western civilization” is a political concept created by political elites for large-scale mobilization, lacking sufficient academic legitimacy. The above “civilization war” highlights profound differences in how the US and Europe understand the connotations of “Western civilization.”

Regarding what constitutes “Western civilization,” US Secretary of State Blinken stated at the Munich Security Conference in February that it is built on the foundations of nation, religion, and strict sovereignty. Li Haidong commented that the US current administration emphasizes the dominance of Christian white groups in society and politics, whereas most European countries see “the West” as centered on pluralism and parliamentary democracy. This reveals deep ideological differences in the standards of “Western” values. Blinken and others’ version of “the West” essentially points to a political and social state reminiscent of Europe from the 19th to early 20th centuries, whereas the existing European concept of “the West” is rooted in the post-World War II to early 21st-century identity.

Zhang Tengjun, deputy director of the US Studies Institute at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the concept of Western civilization originated in Europe, but with the rise of “American exceptionalism” after World War II, Washington reshaped the global narrative, giving the US absolute discourse power within Western civilization, making it seem as if the US played a pivotal role in its development.

“American exceptionalism” fosters a sense of superiority over Europe. Recently, some conservative US figures believe Europe has become a participant in a “cultural war.” ECFR research director Shapiro told US media that these conservatives see the conflict as involving MAGA-style nationalists versus globalists, with Europe as a bastion of liberalism. These liberal forces influenced Trump’s first term, and the current US government must launch “offensives” against liberal institutions like universities. ECFR Paris director Bellan also said that US conservatives believe the country’s culture has been weakened by progressive ideology, which is backed by a “globalist elite,” with Europeans seen as key players. Le Monde diplomatique suggests that the White House is trying to extend its “culture war” into Europe.

Serving multiple US strategic interests

At the Munich Security Conference this year, Rubio stated that although the US and Europe both belong to Western civilization, “we are always children of Europe,” despite being in the Western Hemisphere. While this sounds modest, the US has never given up its “transforming” influence over Europe, and using civilization issues is a way to make EU policies more aligned with US interests.

Li Haidong explained that in the 19th century, the US was weaker than Europe and adopted a distant attitude, showing disdain and resistance. In the 20th century, with increased strength, the US participated in two world wars and led the Cold War, profoundly reshaping Europe’s political and diplomatic ideas and practices. Since the Cold War, the US’s “transformation” of Europe has not stopped. “This shows that the US does not treat Europe as an equal partner with mutual respect and reciprocity, but demands obedience and acceptance of a subordinate, controlled status. This inevitably deepens the inherent inequality in transatlantic relations,” Li said.

Zhang Tengjun pointed out that the disagreements over “Western civilization” are not just rational debates between allies but resemble attempts by the US government to position itself as the “leader” of Western civilization and to “civilize” Europe. This discourse aims to reshape Europe’s civilization system based on MAGA ideas, establishing US dominance over the definition of civilization. He argued that the US’s motivation for launching a “civilization war” against Europe is not to genuinely help Europe restore its cultural glory but to serve its own multiple strategic interests, including reshaping Europe’s internal power structure. Through cultural attacks, the US can induce psychological anxiety and insecurity in Europe, gaining psychological advantage. When Washington mentions issues like free speech and immigration, it is essentially helping radical right-wing forces in Europe rise quickly, increasing their linkage with US right-wing forces, and attempting to “reform” Europe from within.

The “Political News Network” also noted that post-war US aid to certain European institutions helped them develop rapidly, turning some into influential policy research organizations capable of producing reports and translating them into high-level declarations and laws. “(US) right-wing forces have already learned this approach,” the article said.

By attacking Europe on the civilizational front, the US can better control Europe, forcing it to conform to US policies, ultimately making Europe a subordinate to US interests. The US national security strategy explicitly states that Europe should “take primary responsibility for its own defense” and “open its markets to US goods and services.” Zhang Tengjun added that this also serves domestic political purposes. By attacking Europe, Washington is effectively rallying the so-called “defenders of civilization,” setting standards in both cultural and policy realms to cater to conservative voters at home, demonstrating US strength internally and externally, and pushing forward a series of conservative policies.

Next issue preview:

Regarding the US government’s claim that “Europe may face the risk of civilizational extinction,” Europe’s response is mixed—some criticize harshly, others seek alliances with US groups to reshape Western civilization. In the next part of the “US-Europe Civilizational War” series, we will explore the attitudes of EU officials, leaders of various European countries, and figures across the political spectrum toward the US “civilization” offensive, and discuss its implications for the “New Western Century” that the US aims to build.