President Bush’s visit to Europe is a good way for his administration to kick off good relations abroad, but his focus appears skewed.
Bush’s five-day tour began Tuesday in Madrid, Spain, where he met with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia before a private session with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.
Items on Bush’s agenda in Europe include defending his position on the Kyoto treaty and the proposed missile defense system. He also agreed with Aznar that free trade and NATO membership should be strengthened.
Bush has faced protest from thousands of Spaniards in Madrid, where the death penalty is highly opposed, spurred by Monday’s execution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
Although Bush claims to be “willing to listen” on issues such as missile defense, his actions speak otherwise. Even before leaving, Bush gave a statement in the White House Rose Garden saying the Kyoto Treaty of 1997, which most European leaders support, was “fatally flawed.”
Bush’s visit to Europe needs to focus on agreement, and when necessary, compromise. The U.S. government can’t expect to step into Europe and convince everybody of its own views.
Americans seem to have a complex in which we think, because of our superpower status and dominating economy, our ideas are the best and everybody else just needs to be convinced of them.
It doesn’t seem clear to Bush’s administration that European governments don’t hold the United States in as high regard as it might think.
The United States has worked hard to get to its current position of world importance, but that doesn’t mean it’s always right. European governments, which have been operating for centuries, have their own ideas and realize the United States often acts in its own interests.
Bush condemned the Kyoto Treaty, which mandates reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Bush’s plan, which is unclear at this point, suggests that U.S. companies reduce emissions, but does not mandate those reductions.
“If the Americans have a better system than Kyoto, they should explain it to us,” French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said on French television.
Foreign officials also oppose Bush’s new missile defense system, despite his claim the system is positive for U.S. allies.
But French President Jacques Chirac is optimistic, hoping Bush will be able to formulate a plan that will work for everybody.
It’s time the United States started listening to the European community and stops ignoring its ideas. Although Bush says he’s “willing to listen,” he seems to be humoring foreign leaders while he waits for a chance to speak his piece.
The United States is powerful, but not infallible. It wouldn’t be surprising if our poor decisions today come back to haunt us in the future. Hopefully Europe won’t soon be able to say “we told you so.”
