Why Europe bows to US influence: "The Owned Continent" • FRANCE 24 English

Europe’s Dependence on the United States & Response to US Actions in Venezuela

Key Concepts:

• Owned Continent: The central thesis of Dave Keating’s book, describing Europe’s psychological, economic, and cultural dependence on the United States.
• Merkosur Deal: A proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and South American countries, potentially jeopardized by the EU’s response to the US operation in Venezuela.
• Coalition of the Willing: A group of countries supporting Ukraine, whose meeting will be overshadowed by concerns over US support.
• Purchasing Power Parity (PPP): A metric used to compare economic productivity and standards of living between countries, highlighting the EU’s economic strength.
• Defeatist Attitude: The prevalent mindset among European leaders, characterized by a belief in their inability to act independently of the United States.

US Operation in Venezuela & EU Response

The discussion centers on the muted response from the European Union to the recent US attack on Karacas, Venezuela. While most EU heads of state are calling for restraint and adherence to international law, the reaction has been largely characterized by caution and, in some cases, tacit approval.

• Limited Criticism: Only Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez publicly condemned the operation, joining a joint communication with several Latin American countries (Mexico, Brazil).
• Endorsement & Ambiguity: Leaders like Georgia Meloni (Italy) openly endorsed the operation, while French President Macron and UK Prime Minister Starmer focused on the “positives” of regime removal, sidestepping questions of international law violations. German Foreign Minister Friedrich Merz deemed the legality “complex” and required further investigation, a sentiment echoed by the Greek Prime Minister who stated it wasn’t the time to discuss legality.
• South American Fallout: This response has angered leaders in South America, particularly Brazilian President Lula, potentially jeopardizing the Mercosur trade deal.
• Ukraine Concerns: A key driver of the EU’s reluctance to criticize the US is fear of Donald Trump withdrawing or further reducing support for Ukraine. This concern is expected to dominate a forthcoming meeting of the “coalition of the willing” in Paris.

The “Owned Continent” – Psychological & Historical Dependence

Dave Keating’s book, The Owned Continent, argues that Europe’s dependence on the US extends beyond military and economic spheres to encompass psychological and cultural dimensions.

• Cultural Inundation: Europeans are constantly exposed to American culture through media (TV, radio, music), technology (phones, social media), and consumer goods (credit cards, streaming services). This constant exposure fosters a sense of psychological connection and normalization of American influence.
• Psychological Impact: This cultural dominance leads Europeans to internalize American perspectives and potentially view the US as a model, hindering their ability to critically assess US actions. Keating notes that Europeans often feel as though they haven’t truly left the US even when residing in Europe.
• Historical Roots: While post-World War II and the Cold War solidified US military presence in Western Europe, Keating traces the origins of American cultural dominance back to World War I, when the European film industry was devastated, allowing American movie companies to fill the void and establish a strong foothold.
• News Consumption: Europeans consume significantly more news about the United States than about their own countries or even European politics, further reinforcing this skewed perspective. They are more affected by events like the Black Lives Matter movement in the US than similar movements within Europe.
• National vs. Federal Mindsets: Keating suggests that a persistent focus on national interests within the EU hinders the development of a unified, federal mindset necessary to effectively counter US influence.

EU’s Limited Leverage & Potential for Change

The discussion highlights a perceived lack of agency within the EU, with leaders often exhibiting a “defeatist attitude” and believing they have limited options when dealing with the US.

• Trade Leverage: The EU possesses significant economic power, with a single market larger than the US in terms of purchasing power parity. However, it has been reluctant to utilize trade tools, such as tariffs on US services (where the EU has a trade deficit), to counter US pressure. A previous opportunity to use a “nuclear option” against US trade extortion was passed up.
• Defense Spending: European leaders have rapidly increased defense spending in response to Trump’s demands, potentially going “too far too fast.”
• Military Coordination: The EU has the potential to act independently on the military front by coordinating its national militaries, but lacks the political will to do so.
• Guilt & Public Opinion: Keating suggests that both European leaders and the public share some responsibility for this situation, lacking a clear vision for how Europe can exercise power on the world stage.

Notable Quotes:

• “Europe isn’t just militarily dependent on the United States, but it’s also economically dependent and culturally dependent.” – Dave Keating
• “There’s nothing we can do.” – A common refrain heard from European leaders regarding their response to US actions. – Dave Keating
• “It’s almost like you didn’t leave the United States by moving to Europe because you’re so surrounded by American culture at all times.” – Dave Keating, describing the pervasive American influence in Europe.

Conclusion:

The discussion paints a picture of a European Union deeply influenced by the United States, both psychologically and structurally. The muted response to the US operation in Venezuela exemplifies this dependence, driven by fears of losing US support for Ukraine and a broader “defeatist attitude” among European leaders. Keating’s The Owned Continent proposes that addressing this dependence requires a shift in mindset, a greater emphasis on European unity, and a willingness to utilize the EU’s considerable economic and potential military power to assert its independence on the world stage. The future of the Mercosur deal and the ongoing support for Ukraine may hinge on Europe’s ability to overcome this ingrained dependence.