The Secretary of state made a speech in defense of the international role of the United States at the Munich security conference.
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo defended the US’s global role, despite European concerns, promising that Western values would prevail over China’s desire to create its “empire.”
Pompeo tried to reassure Europeans concerned about President Donald Trump’s “America First” rhetoric, his controversial attitude to the transatlantic military alliance NATO, and threats to impose duties on goods from Europe.
“I am pleased to report that the death of the transatlantic Alliance is a strong exaggeration. The West is winning, and we are winning together,” Pompeo said, speaking at the Munich security conference, listing measures taken by the US to protect liberal democracies.
Pompeo responded in part to a speech by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who on Friday accused the United States, Russia, and China of creating an atmosphere of global distrust.
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement has damaged European priorities, and recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has weakened European diplomacy.
Pompeo defended the US strategy, saying that Europe, Japan, and other US allies are united on China, Iran, and Russia, despite “tactical differences.”
He stressed Washington’s negative attitude to the construction of the Nord stream-2 gas pipeline, which is supported by the government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Speaking about Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea, cyber threats emanating from Iran, and China’s economic policies, Pompeo said these countries still “want to create empires” and are destabilizing an international system based on generally accepted rules.
US defense Secretary Mark Esper, who took the floor after Pompeo, focused on China in his speech, accusing Beijing of a “nefarious strategy” implemented with the help of the telecommunications company Huawei.
“It is very important that we, as the international community, understand the problems associated with China’s manipulation of the long-established international order,” Esper said.
The defense Secretary said it was not too late for the UK to “take two steps back” in the recent decision to restrict Huawei’s participation in the creation of UK 5G networks.
“We can have a win-win strategy if we just follow international rules that have been established for decades taking into account respect for human rights, respect for sovereignty, ” he said.
