Since the destruction of Europe by the Nazis and Fascists, and its rebuilding with help from the Americans, Europeans have become too accustomed to having Americans tell them what to do and then subsidize a large share of the cost. This may have been altruistic by the US but it was far from being a gift. The fully industrialized US economy in 1945 needed new markets and with millions of men returning to the workforce, the economy would have gone completely flat without new markets. Europe and Japan provided that consumer base. Further, a couple of clever American economists figured out how to make US debt an asset instead of a liability: the US would let others hold their debt, (see Bretton Woods Agreement) the US Navy would guarantee the world’s sea lanes, the US Army would protect Europe and Japan and the USAF would stand ready to threaten a rising USSR.

Lest you think I am oversimplifying the issue, allow me to agree. I am, but this is a blog and not an academic lecture (I hope). The first country to chafe at this system was France. They pulled out of the military integration of NATO (but stayed in the political union) and openly questioned who decided that America was the only country that could protect Europe. President François Mitterand famously asked why 280 million Americans had to defend 250 Europeans. However annoying Monsieur Mitterand may have been, he was correct. Europeans needed to defend themselves. (Under French leadership … of course.)

Interestingly, as an aside, Great Britain was not the first to chafe. They had lost a world empire, lost financial primacy (the pound was no longer the world reserve currency) and their language was being warped, sometimes unrecognizably by their former colonists (no not the Canadians). But I digress …

The Poles seem to be the only country not at war to understand the situation clearly. They have ordered a staggering 1300 modern main battle tanks. Can they afford them? No. Can they afford not to buy them ? NO! Like the Ukrainians (but unlike the French and Italians it seems) they have not forgotten what life is like under the heel of an occupying power. Napoleon’s famous adage that a nation that doesn’t wish to feed its own army will have to feed someone else’s rings true. It is far cheaper to build up your forces to deter a neighbouring tyrant than to eventually have to fight him to regain your freedom.

Canada is in the same boat. What to do? Buckle down, stop some of the foolish programs that are embarrassing and ineffective and rebuild.

By the way, the same is true when someone who used to be your friend decides to assault you by starting a trade war…..

PS: For any who are scratching their heads and wondering exactly what my message is, here it is in plain-speak: The world will miss American leadership and their generosity, but if we all trade with each other, we can all demonstrate that a strong economy is possible without the US.