Lecture & Discussion

Aachen: »The Current Situation of German-American-Relations«

Foreign Policy Spokesman of the FDP in the Bundestag, Dr. Rainer Stinner

At the IHK Aachen, the FDP foreign policy spokesperson, Dr. Rainer Stinner, discussed a topic which is close to his heart: the current challenges of German-American relations. In a 20-minute speech, he demonstrated through his thesis why the US and Europe – with Germany as its biggest member state – are the best suitable partners for one another from the point of view of self-identification of each country, the feeling of unity and the necessary and possible cooperation. At the same time, Stinner linked his fundamental political opinion with his personal experiences in the USA, which began exactly 42 years ago during his years of study.

Stinner began his speech with the basic definition of what it means to be German and American, where the differences are and what the common ground is between the two countries. After all, with its first settlers, the U.S. have European origins. Nevertheless, Europeans often neglect that the U.S. have developed their own history and culture at least from the point where they have created their own constitution. This neglect would lead to stereotypes of each side which provides a series of misunderstandings: anti-Americanism on one hand, “Europe-fatigue” on the other. But precisely the historical and cultural development should be considered to understand the way of thinking and acting of the respective partner. Stinner pointed out that understanding the founding myth and American exceptionalism is essential to understand the behavior of the U.S. Despite different cultural developments, but due to historical interconnectedness there is a shared canon of values (human rights, democracy) and interests, which are at least in part mutual, between the US and Europe Germany. Therefore Europe, more precisely Germany, is the best partner for the U.S.

From today’s point of view and with regard to solidarity, the U.S. and Germany have to look for a new justification of their friendship. The bilateral relationship can no longer be based solely on gratitude. Though today’s youth knows about the historical meaning of this friendship between the two countries, it does not take it into account in relation to current decision making processes. To Stinner, ups and downs in a friendship are very natural. He does not regard it dangerous that Obama - because of his biography - is the first president less drawn to Europe than his predecessors used to be. It is important to recognize these disadvantages and work against them by strengthening ties. The question resulting from this is how to intensify these ties – on each possible level. Luckily, on the economic level this comes easy because of the peculiar self-seller quality of this level. A similar example is the music and film industry branch which continues to influence the European continent. The aforementioned misunderstandings, which could result in mutual resignation in a worst-case scenario, should indeed be considered a threat to the friendship. Only the acceptance of these different interests on both sides, such as the perception that at the moment China’s  economy is more interesting than Europe’s from an American perspective, can diminish the risk of mutual resignation.

Stinner closed his speech with the some words about the potential and necessary cooperation between Germany and the U.S. Global challenges, such as climate change, the currency crisis and the economic crisis, moved the two countries closer together. Alternatives for Germany, such as solo attempts similar to Bismarck’s or the Europe’s defense alliance, which is not yet trusted and capable of acting, are not relevant. In Stinner’s point of view, NATO is and will be the organization for Germany, and it no longer should hide behind it. Rather, Germany should be more confident in its decision making even though this could mean a lack of unanimity with the other member states, as in the case of Libya. Germany is still fighting to get accepted by others as a result of its history, Stinner reasoned. The U.S., on the other hand, should concentrate more on domestic problems, like renewing its infrastructure. Foreign policy, which is to a large degree fueled by American exceptionalism, should be of smaller interest. In order to comply with the sense of duty at the basis of American foreign policy, the U.S. need like-minded, supportive partners. For the aforementioned reasons, there is no better partner for the U.S. than Europe and, respectively, Germany.

Since 2002, Dr. Rainer Stinner has been a member of the Bundestag. In the 17th legislative period, he became the FDP chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations and Foreign Policy Spokesman of the FDP parliamentary group as well as Deputy Member of the Defense Committee. Within his professional activities as management consultant, Dr. Stinner has worked extensively in the US where he has built a strong bond in his early years with the nation.

This discussion was sponsored in cooperation with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation For Freedom, the association of the twin towns of Aachen and Arlington, and the chamber of industry and commerce Aachen (IHK).