As Trump and Putin menace Europe, I say this: vive le Churchillo-Gaullisme! | Timothy Garton Ash

Our continent must be prepared to defend itself, by combining the best of its two most influential traditions
Should we all be Gaullists now? In the language of France’s most important European partner, the answer is “Jein!” (a German word combining ja for yes and nein for no). Yes, Emmanuel Macron has been right to warn us ever since he became France’s president in 2017 that, discerning a long-term trend of US disengagement, Europe should be ready to defend itself. Now, confronted with Donald Trump, a rogue US president putting in question an 80-year-old American commitment to the defence of Europe against Russia, lifelong Euro-Atlanticists like me must acknowledge that we need not just a Europe with more hard power – something for which I have always argued – but also the real possibility of European “strategic autonomy”. Oui, Monsieur le Président, you were right.
Yet en mȇme temps (at the same time), to deploy Macron’s signature trope, we should answer “Non”. For De Gaulle, a great man of his time, believed that defence should be the exclusive province of the nation state; that the emerging European Community should be a Europe of states (a disunited version of the European Union to which today’s hard-right populist nationalist parties dream of returning); that Britain should be excluded from the European project (hence his famous “Non!” to British membership in that emerging community); and that Europe should be constructed as a counterweight to the US, having close relations with Russia and China.
Timothy Garton Ash is a historian, political writer and Guardian columnist
Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Continue reading...-
We 'must act': Europe retaliates against Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports
The European Union said it would impose counter-tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28.33 billion) worth of U.S. goods starting in April in response to the duties.CNBC - 2d -
My boyfriend wants us to move in together – but I need my independence and his dog won’t let us have sex
I used to struggle with living alone, but now I’m thriving. Should I give it all up?. My boyfriend and I are in our late 50s. He never married and doesn’t have kids, while I am divorced with ...The Guardian - 4d -
Who will EU, Canada's retaliatory tariffs impact the most?
President Trump is moving full speed ahead on tariffs. The administration imposed a 25% tariff on Wednesday on all steel and aluminum imports, and the response from America's allies has been swift. ...CBS News - 2d -
France has a nuclear umbrella. Could its European allies fit under it?
President Macron has aired the idea that France's deterrence force could be used to defend of other European countries.BBC News - Mar. 6 -
'On our day we can beat any team in the world'
Magpies captain Bruno Guimaraes has told BBC Radio Newcastle's Simon Pryde that Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Liverpool is his "best opportunity" to win silverware since arriving at the club ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
A Tour by Train of 5 Dazzling European Cities
Milan, Zurich, Berlin, Copenhagen and Stockholm: Our writer devised her own urban grand tour to some of the continent’s most dazzling cities.The New York Times - 5d -
Two-thirds of arms imports to Nato countries in Europe come from US
Continent’s deep reliance on American-made weapons underscored by Sipri dataFinancial Times - 5d -
Europe's military personnel shortfalls exposed
The Trump administration’s warning last month that Europe must now take care of security in its own backyard raises troubling questionsABC News - 1d -
Trump threatens Europe with 200 percent tariff on wine, Champagne
President Trump on Thursday threatened to put a hefty 200 percent tariff on wine and Champagne coming in from Europe if the European Union (EU) does not remove a tariff on whisky. “The European ...The Hill - 2d
More from The Guardian
-
Ukraine war live: Putin response to peace plan ‘not good enough’, says UK, as international militaries prepare to meet in London
Representatives from numerous international militaries will meet in London on Thursday, says UK prime minister. Few resonant phrases are repeated in politics without a deliberate reason, and Keir ...The Guardian - 15m -
Protesters march in Belgrade at huge rally against Serbian president
Authorities in capital make apparent attempt to disrupt demonstration by cancelling public transport. Tens of thousands of people from across Serbia have joined an anti-corruption rally in ...The Guardian - 26m -
Notable Tesla investor says he hopes Musk’s government role is ‘short-lived’
Christopher Tsai retains faith in carmaker’s earnings potential despite backlash that has seen its shares take a hit. A devoted investor in Elon Musk ’s Tesla – and once a close childhood friend ...The Guardian - 5h -
‘Spreadsheets of empire’: red tape goes back 4,000 years, say scientists after Iraq finds
Ancient Mesopotamian stone tablets show extraordinary detail and reach of government in cradle of world civilisations. The red tape of government bureaucracy spans more than 4,000 years, according ...The Guardian - 2h -
‘Brain pacemakers’: implants to be tested to help alcohol and opioid addicts
Trial will determine whether electrical pulses can control and decrease yearnings. Surgeons are to put implants into the brains of alcoholics and opioid addicts in a trial aimed at testing the use ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Italy v Ireland: Six Nations 2025 – live
Latest from the Stadio Olimpico (2.15pm kick-off, GMT) Get in touch: you can mail Alex with your comments 1 min: Italy win their first lineout and look to test the visiting defence early on, ...The Guardian - 15m -
Ukraine war live: Putin response to peace plan ‘not good enough’, says UK, as international militaries prepare to meet in London
Representatives from numerous international militaries will meet in London on Thursday, says UK prime minister. Few resonant phrases are repeated in politics without a deliberate reason, and Keir ...The Guardian - 15m -
Manchester City v Brighton, Everton v West Ham and more football: clockwatch – live
Saturday 3pm updates from across the country Get in touch: contact Emillia with your thoughts League One fixtures . Bolton 0-1 Stockport (still live). Cambridge United 0-1 Peterborough (still ...The Guardian - 17m -
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City: Women’s League Cup final – live reaction
A Yui Hasegawa own goal proved to be the difference between the sides as the favourites won their first piece of silverware under Sonia Bompastor. Get in touch: email Barry about the game ...The Guardian - 19m -
Protesters march in Belgrade at huge rally against Serbian president
Authorities in capital make apparent attempt to disrupt demonstration by cancelling public transport. Tens of thousands of people from across Serbia have joined an anti-corruption rally in ...The Guardian - 26m