By Siyabonga Hadebe
FOR centuries, Europe was the architect of global imperialism, carving up foreign territories and subjugating populations in pursuit of dominance. Driven by a potent cocktail of ambition, religious zeal and racial superiority, the expansion of the European empire ranks among the worst human disasters, especially for the world’s subalterns.
The empire was built on exploitation, enslavement and violent subjugation and birthed the dreadful, unequal and racist modern world.
Now, the tables have turned in the face of US imperialism or colonisation 2.0.
Europe now finds itself in the unfamiliar and deeply unsettling position of the hunted, caught in the crosshairs of a new, albeit familiar, form of imperialism—one spearheaded by its former protégé and transatlantic partner, the United States under Donald Trump.
This transformation underscores a reckoning with the historical legacies of colonialism and the consequences of unwavering support for US expansionist policies.
The ascendance of an isolationist and aggressively nationalistic political current within the US represents more than just a domestic political shift; it constitutes a calculated strategy to dismantle the post-World War II global order. This order, built on multilateral institutions and a degree of international cooperation, is now seen by many within the US political landscape as a hindrance to its pursuit of unchecked dominance.
This drive for unfettered power is being pursued with renewed fervour and directness, targeting not only geopolitical rivals but also long-standing Western, white-race allies, including those in Europe and its neighbouring Canada. Critics who dismissed Trump’s first term as chaotic and unplanned failed to recognise the method behind the “madness”.
Under the “America First” banner, Trump’s administration sought to dismantle multilateral institutions and agreements that hinder Washington’s ambitions. This recalibration is not limited to trade wars with China or confrontations in the Indo-Pacific.
Europe, once a co-conspirator in global domination, now finds itself subjected to the very tactics it once employed against the Global South. The very tools and justifications used to colonise and exploit much of the world are now being wielded against it.
The mirage of democratic peace
Trump’s rhetoric about using force to claim Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal, as well as his relentless economic manoeuvring, highlight a new reality: Europe and its allies are no longer untouchable. This reality shatters the comfortable illusion of “democratic peace”, the idea that democracies are inherently less likely to wage war against each other.
Historically, this theory has been used to justify interventions and alliances, promoting the idea of peaceful fraternity among democratic nations. However, history provides numerous exceptions, such as the US interventions in democracies like Guatemala in 1954. The notion of peaceful coexistence among democracies crumbles under scrutiny.
The potential use of force against self-declared democratic nations like Canada and Denmark (over Greenland) reveals the fragility of this theory. It exposes a chilling truth: when fundamental interests of power and resources are at stake, the veneer of democratic solidarity quickly erodes.
As with the rest of Latin America, Panama and Mexico were always going to be easy targets, as Trump wants to erase and turn the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal into US properties.
As Europe grapples with its vulnerability, it must confront the ghosts of its imperial past. For centuries, European powers imposed their will on the Global South, exploiting resources and suppressing indigenous populations. The historical narrative of European exceptionalism, rooted in racial and cultural superiority, is now mirrored in the “America First” ideology.
This legacy of domination has now come full circle. The US, initially a beneficiary of Europe’s imperial system, has adapted and expanded these tactics to pursue its supremacy. The logic of empire—the pursuit of resources, strategic advantage and global dominance—remains the same, but only the players have shifted.
Europe’s complicity in US expansionist policies further complicates its position. European complicity in previous US-led interventions, from interventions in Latin America to the Middle East, has long exposed its weak moral standing and contributed to its current vulnerability.
Moreover, its unwavering backing of US policies in Ukraine underscores its subordination to Washington. This dependency is becoming increasingly untenable as Europe faces the consequences of aligning itself with a power willing to turn on its allies.
In short, this vassal status, coupled with rising internal pressures like nationalist movements and economic uncertainty, leaves Europe precariously exposed to US ambitions.
Indigenous rights and territorial ambitions
The discussion surrounding the potential acquisition of Greenland and Canada brings the issue of Indigenous rights to the forefront. Trump’s casual remarks about this envisaged territorial acquisition aim to introduce multi-layered oppression, dispossession and colonisation.
The Inuit, Sámi, Métis and other indigenous groups in these regions have long suffered under colonial regimes that call themselves democracies, including Canada, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
The prospect of US territorial ambitions exacerbates this oppression, echoing the historical disregard for indigenous rights that has characterised both European and North American histories.
Europe’s record on indigenous rights, particularly in northern Europe and within its former colonial territories, further undercuts its ability to criticise US actions. The potential double oppression of these groups under a US-led expansionist agenda highlights the urgent need for a reevaluation of Europe’s role in addressing historical injustices.
The crumbling edifice of racialist multilateralism and a world redrawn
The shift in global power dynamics is not just a geopolitical issue; it has profound economic and environmental implications. The West’s industrial outsourcing to countries like China, driven by capitalist doctrines of cheap labour, has contributed to environmental degradation and economic dependency. Once seen as a means of maintaining economic dominance, this strategy has backfired.
China’s rise as a global powerhouse has disrupted the economic and political order, challenging the US and, by extension, Europe. The US response, advocating for economic decoupling and trade wars, places immense pressure on European economies deeply intertwined with the global trading system. The spectre of trade wars and economic coercion highlights Europe's new strategic vulnerability.
Europe’s support for multilateral institutions, once a cornerstone of its foreign policy, is now undermined by US actions. Trump’s disdain for organisations like the World Trade Organisation, the United Nations, and its bodies reflects a broader rejection of cooperative frameworks. This shift toward unilateralism isolates Europe, which struggles to defend a system that no longer serves its interests.
Nevertheless, the erosion of multilateralism has significant consequences for peripheral countries, which consistently receive the brunt of the blow. The Global South, already vulnerable to economic and political pressures, faces increased marginalisation. Having historically benefited from these dynamics, Europe must contend with being sidelined in a world dominated by competing hegemonies, with the US driving the wedge.
From hunter to hunted—a cycle of power
Europe’s shift from hunter to hunted is a stark reminder that power dynamics are cyclical. The imperial tools it once employed are now being turned against it, forcing a painful confrontation with its past. It must now face the following truths: the consequences of its imperial history, the dangers of unwavering allegiance to a dominant power and the fragility of a global order built on self-serving principles.
This is a defining moment that French President Emmanuel Macron, in his defence of Europe’s territorial integrity, calls “imperialism”. Europe faces a choice: to continue down a path of dependence and decline or to forge a new, independent path based on genuine multilateralism, acknowledgement of past wrongs and respect for the sovereignty of all nations.
However, this may be tricky, as Europe consistently refuses to atone for its past and continues to block any discussion of reparations on a global stage. Thus, it cannot rely on the support of the Global South in its attempts to counter the US incursion. European countries have generally turned a blind eye as Israel dissipates Palestine and its people. Now, they face a serious threat from the very same US they have openly favoured as it trampled on others.
The world watches as Europe navigates this treacherous new terrain, serving as a lesson to all who seek to impose their will upon it. The shift to a multipolar world order will bring new centres of power and challenge the status quo, as the West (Europe) can no longer dictate terms to the rest of the world.
Lessons from history
Europe’s current predicament offers an excellent reminder of the cyclical nature of history. However, this change was not expected to occur from within its belly. The imperial tactics it once wielded with impunity are now being used against it by its close relative, the US. This reckoning forces Europe to confront several hard truths.
First, the exploitation of the Global South has left a lasting scar on the world. Europe’s historical actions have sown the seeds of its current vulnerabilities.
Second, aligning with US expansionist policies has backfired, exposing Europe to the tactics it once endorsed. Finally, dependence on the US for security and economic stability has left Europe vulnerable to shifts in US foreign policy.
Europe’s transformation from hunter to hunted marks a turning point in global power dynamics. The rise of US imperialism underscores the need to reevaluate Europe’s role in the world.
Europe must confront its historical legacy and adapt to a rapidly changing landscape as the global order shifts toward multipolarity. This moment of reckoning presents an opportunity for Europe to chart a new course and embrace a more equitable approach to global governance away from the imperial West. Failure to do so risks consigning Europe to the margins of a world it once dominated, a sobering reminder of the consequences of imperial hubris.
Siyayibanga le economy!
* Siyabonga Hadebe is an independent commentator on socio-economic, political and global matters.
* The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect thos of Independent Media.