History has seen many examples of the countries that have joined together and have allied with each other in the form of strategic blocs, while there are also a few cases of the former allied nations that are growing apart and becoming political rivals. In an article entitled ‘The End of the German-American Affair’, Politico Magazine says, “Once firm friends and allies, the two old partners are drifting apart—and that’s not just down to Trump.” Since the end of World War II, the US-German relationship has not been as brittle as it is today. At both the official and unofficial level, the foundation that has supported the transatlantic alliance since the 1950s is crumbling. A group of European analysts believe that the US-German relationship isn’t just moribund, it’s on life support. The question that many observers of international politics would now ask is whether the United States of America and Germany are on the road to a historic separation and divorce. What are the reasons for such conditions?

 Despite a history of more than 70 years of strategic transatlantic alliance, the US-German relationship has been always under the shadow of doubts and pessimism. From a strategic viewpoint, some believe that the American initiative for economic assistance -the Marshall Plan- and formation of the European Coal and Steel Community were aimed at restraining and controlling Germany’s military power and ambitions rather than saving Europe. The economic power and capacity of Germany, known as the top European industrial power, and its positive trade balance in interaction with the US have aroused the American old concerns about the European state. Moreover, the US is currently facing a big threat such as China, while Germany is moving closer to China and Russia in order to create a balance in its relations with the US with a good understanding of the international system’s current situation and conditions. American geopolitical forecaster George Friedman believes that Washington is afraid of close economic ties between Russia and Germany. He maintains that the German technology and investment coupled with Russia’s underground resources could pose a real challenge to the United States, which is prepared to meet this challenge.

 In a recent interview with the DPA, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said, “Anyone who thinks the transatlantic partnership would return to the way it was if the Democrats won the Presidency underestimates the structural changes that have taken place.” In separate comments, he warned that the level and format of the bilateral relations would never return to the past conditions. The Pew Research Center has clarified the basis and foundation of such notion and idea in a study, saying the relationship between the two countries is in tense situation and the majority of Germans believe that American presence in their country is not too or not at all important to German national security despite its economic benefits. Another poll has found that about 85 percent of Germans consider their country’s relationship with the US to be “bad” or “very bad,” while a clear majority want Germany to distance itself from the US.

 Source of Transatlantic Rift

 Although the discord between the two Western allies was triggered by the election of Trump and discussions about security issues and defense spending, the truth is that the Republicans and Democrats have no fundamental disagreement about dealing with the transatlantic challenges. Some analysts and researchers of international politics attribute the source of differences to subjects such as defense spending, the Group of Seven, construction of Nord Stream 2 pipeline, trade tariffs on German cars, the way Germany interacts with China, Russia and Iran, and announcement of the plan to withdraw 9,500 US troops from Germany. However, the remarks made by the European officials, particularly Germans, reveal that the cause of eruption and disclosure of the discord indicate the development and creation of changes in the international system. In fact, the basic transatlantic difference lies in the understanding and comprehension of modern world order. The concept of European multilateralism is not even an option for the American liberals, who have doubts about such European multilateralism.

 After Josep Borrell and Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel became the latest European leader to talk about the end of era of US global leadership. Under the European multilateral order, the continent is going to turn from an obedient and passive player into a relatively independent and active actor, which would not link its major and strategic affairs, such as security and defense issues, to decisions and orders from its transatlantic partner. A clue to such European view of multilateralism was obvious in the comments Merkel made last September, saying Europe needed to think about its security because the US would not protect it automatically, as it was during the cold war.

 Merkel’s landmark and controversial speech after the G-7 summit was somehow a sign of a new structure of world powers. She made it clear that Europe can no longer completely rely on the US and the UK, saying the European issues had been changed by the UK’s Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s election as US president. “The times in which we could completely depend on others are, to a certain extent, over… We Europeans truly have to take our fate into our own hands,” she said in May 2017. The New York Times also published a story about Merkel’s remarks, saying the German chancellor was looking past Trump. Clearly disappointed with the meetings at G-7 summit, Merkel said that the United States of President Trump is not the reliable partner her country and the Continent have automatically depended on in the past, The New York Times added.

 In conclusion, Germany has so far made great efforts to strengthen the European Union as a European entity, but some of those attempts have been unsuccessful due to several reasons. The US’ objective after the UK withdrawal from the European Union is definitely to prevent Germany’s stronger role in the union specifically, and to weaken the European institution generally. In turn, Germany has developed a strategy to maintain and strengthen the model of European convergence and reduce its reliance on the US in various security, energy and political spheres. Time will show whether the Germans have the necessary capability and resolve to pay the price for their European policies.

(The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the IPIS)