In Europe, U.S. defense secretary calls for greater effort to counter China, Russia

By Idrees Ali

 

FILE PHOTO - U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper holds a news conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., August 28, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper, in his first major speech, on Friday called for a greater European focus on tackling what he called growing security and economic threats from China and Russia.

 

Last year, the U.S. military put countering China and Russia at the center of a new national defense strategy, the latest sign of shifting priorities after more than a decade and a half of focusing on the fight against Islamist militants.

 

“It is increasingly clear that Russia and China want to disrupt the international order by gaining a veto over other nations’ economic, diplomatic, and security decisions,” Esper said at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London. His comments are largely in line with his predecessors.

 

“The United States is facing this challenge head-on, but if we are to preserve the world all of us have created together through decades of shared sacrifice, we must all rise to the occasion,” Esper said, adding that both countries were increasing capabilities in the space and cyber realms.

 

There are a growing number of flashpoints in the U.S.-Chinese relationship, which include an escalating trade war, American sanctions on China’s military, and the U.S. relationship with Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province.

 

Esper described a litany of concerns about China, from the way it uses its economic power to technology theft,

“I would caution my friends in Europe – this is not a problem in some distant land that does not affect you,” he added.

 

Responding to a question after his speech, Esper said he would be discussing Huawei [HWT.UL] with his British counterpart later on Friday.

 

In July, Britain postponed a decision on whether Huawei could participate in building next-generation 5G mobile networks until it had a clearer picture of the impact of U.S. measures taken against the Chinese company.

 

Esper said that while it was premature for now, there could come a time in the future where the United States’ ability to share intelligence and technology with allies could be impacted depending on how Huawei is being used.

 

Esper pointed to the situation in Hong Kong, which has been engulfed in angry and sometimes violent protests against the government for months over a bill on extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China.

 

“We all see what’s happening to those who continue to speak out against the (Chinese Communist Party’s) influence in Hong Kong,” Esper said.

 

“I was there for the handover in 1997 when the “one country, two systems” designation was affirmed – I would ask you: given what we see in Hong Kong today, has China kept those promises?”

 

Esper said his preference was for long-term engagement with China’s leadership.

 

Esper also highlighted the risks posed by Russia, from a potential incursion into a neighboring country to its actions in Syria.

 

His comments come even as President Donald Trump drew disagreement from U.S. allies recently by calling for Russia to be readmitted to the Group of Seven advanced industrialized countries.

 

“To put it simply, Russia’s foreign policy continues to disregard international norms,” Esper said.

 

There are increasing concerns that Russia and the United States are headed towards an arms race after Washington formally pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) pact last month, accusing Russia of violating it, allegations Moscow denied.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-09-06

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“It is increasingly clear that Russia and China want to disrupt the international order by gaining a veto over other nations’ economic, diplomatic, and security decisions,” Esper said

 

he is projecting US policy on others,

and apparently wants an allowance from EU

Trump's stupid solo actions have led to China's and Russia's positions being strengthened. 

Trump's foreign policy stupidities are well known.

Canada, EU, NATO, Japan, South Korea, G7, Mexico, and some more. Trump has all urinated on the shoes with his megalomania.

Edited September 6, 20196 yr by tomacht8

 To take the American side on anything right now, in most countries, would be political suicide.  Ask Boris about the chlorinated chicken. There is in a federal election in Canada right now and the leaders are running away from Trump as fast as they can. 

Hopefully the new EU Army will step forward and get involved, Then Britan who has paid for there protection along with America since 1947, can step back for a change

1 hour ago, Thongkorn said:

Hopefully the new EU Army will step forward and get involved, Then Britan who has paid for there protection along with America since 1947, can step back for a change

russia, since the fall of soviet union,

does not have the means to invade europe

4 hours ago, brokenbone said:

russia, since the fall of soviet union,

does not have the means to invade europe

Tell that to its neighbors. 

I’d imagine the Europeans are disinclined to support any trump fiasco(oops I ment policy)seeing how he has destabilized their economy’s and attacked all of them

Maybe the Europeans could start contributing to containing Russia by detaining a certain occupant of the White House during his next European tour.

2 hours ago, bristolboy said:

Tell that to its neighbors. 

no need, they know russia dont have the means to invade EU

I'm happy for this related link from their closest ally to be moved if there's a better place for it.

Edited September 7, 20196 yr by evadgib

His political master Trump has spent 32 months upsetting the world order, showing nothing but hostility and disrespect to our allies in Europe, while coddling every dictator he could possibly coddle, including his great friend Putin. Now, Esper goes to Europe with his hand out, asking for help? What, the US needs Europe after all? My guess is that there is alot of laughing going on behind the scenes, about the insane, inept, incompetent, and arrogant Americans. 

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

His political master Trump has spent 32 months upsetting the world order, showing nothing but hostility and disrespect to our allies in Europe, while coddling every dictator he could possibly coddle, including his great friend Putin. Now, Esper goes to Europe with his hand out, asking for help? What, the US needs Europe after all? My guess is that there is alot of laughing going on behind the scenes, about the insane, inept, incompetent, and arrogant Americans. 

More airy accusations that 'China hasn't kept its promises over Hong Kong' without the slightest scrap of detail.  Tell you what mate. Pull the  NED out of there and see what happens.

So.. the missus suggested a couple of hours of Comedy Central this afternoon.... I said no need, and forwarded her today’s edition of TV, as it has all the entertainment right here... look.. Comedy... got ya covered ????

Blimey!

 

The way China and Russia behave and you guys mostly attack Trump!

 

Trump is many things, but a world run by Russia or China would be a cruel world world with freedom curtailed. 

 

Personally Putin is a thug and China a cheat. 

On 9/6/2019 at 5:51 PM, brokenbone said:

“It is increasingly clear that Russia and China want to disrupt the international order by gaining a veto over other nations’ economic, diplomatic, and security decisions,” Esper said

 

he is projecting US policy on others,

and apparently wants an allowance from EU

 

He certainly does. But then again, if there's to be a dominant global power, Europe still aligns better with the USA, relative to the Russia or China alternatives. Technically, Europe could have staked its own claim, but politically that ain't gonna happen anytime soon (if ever).

On 9/7/2019 at 1:42 AM, brokenbone said:

russia, since the fall of soviet union,

does not have the means to invade europe

 

On 9/7/2019 at 9:15 AM, brokenbone said:

no need, they know russia dont have the means to invade EU

 

Or so you say.

Obviously, European governments do not quite agree, and sentiments in several of Russia's immediate neighbors run counter to your second comment. Russia recent major military exercises seem to contradict this as well.

On 9/7/2019 at 6:36 AM, Tug said:

I’d imagine the Europeans are disinclined to support any trump fiasco(oops I ment policy)seeing how he has destabilized their economy’s and attacked all of them

 

Disinclined as they may be, sometimes the choices are between bad and worse. Trump's foreign policy etc. being what it is doesn't quite make the prospects of Chinese and Russian ascendance more appealing. Plus, Trump is not a permanent fixture. 

Surprising that so many here seem to be siding with China and Russia. 

 

If you think that life under Chinese hegemony will be better, you may want to rethink. 

 

The irony of farang aligning with the Chinese is that the stronger China gets through theft and other aggressive practices, the more many of you will be pushed right out of Thailand (and other Southeast Asian countries). Notice more Chinese expats and retirees and businesses? Notice your favorite bars being replaced by Chinese themed restaurants? Notice Chinese families moving in and buying condos (usually in cash)? They are replacing YOU.

 

Alas, while Trump is no doubt crazy, his methods are indeed working to get the US and Chinese economies decoupled - which will have decades long devastating impacts on Chinese growth. 

 

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/09/06/tariffs-are-no-longer-chinas-biggest-problem-in-the-trade-war.html

 

 

Edited September 8, 20196 yr by Fex Bluse

A post containing a trolling meme has been reported and removed.