EU Socialist Scandal: Here’s the Lesson for the US

CommentaryThe European Union is currently in the midst of one of its largest corruption scandals to date. There are credible allegations that Qatar—the Gulf state that recently hosted the FIFA World Cup—bribed a number of high-level EU figures in order to exert influence on European politics. Some may well ask: Why should we care about what is a decidedly European scandal, anyways? Quite simply: It demonstrates the dangers of ceding national sovereignty and putting ideology above actual interests. EU policy happens to be largely directed by left-wing ideology. Political elites in the United States seek to emulate both the European technocratic model and the leftist impetus behind their supranational political regime. The individuals involved in this high-level corruption scheme are all, in one way or another, associated with left-leaning political parties and organizations. Given the various connections, the Qatari corruption scandal could implicate (or at least lead to investigations and questioning of) up to 60 Members of the European Parliament (MEP), mostly members of the body’s Socialists and Reformers parliamentary group. But the answer as to why you should care about this European imbroglio has little to do with the political leanings of those involved (although the fact that they are all far-left politicians should not necessarily be ignored). We are often told in this country that the EU represents a superior governance model to our own. While retaining certain legislative initiatives, the organization forces member states to relinquish a large amount of their national sovereignty and hand over decision-making to a largely unelected group of elitist bureaucrats. This is what our own political leaders wish to move toward: removing power from the American electorate, and embedding it in unelected bodies of technocrats and “experts” who can implement efficient administrative rule at the expense of messy and nationalist American-style republicanism. The Ruhr Oel petroleum refineries of BP Gelsenkirchen GmbH in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, on March 8, 2022. (Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images) For example, the EU on Dec. 18 reached a deal on the world’s first major carbon border tax. This will significantly increase the price of energy imports into the European Union. At the same time, carbon-intensive industries in Europe are under the world’s most stringent emissions standards. So importing cheap fuel becomes more onerous, while manufacturing inside of the EU remains hamstrung by high energy prices. Taken together, the effect is to ensure that the cost of “dirty” fuels remains sky-high on the European continent while regulation for industry becomes even tougher. The net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 goal is prioritized over the ability of EU member states to secure reliable energy for their respective citizenries—and manufacturing sectors. One doubts whether these nations would so willingly accept such ideological policy prescriptions at the expense of their own interests if it weren’t for pressure from Brussels. As for the United States, the Biden administration’s $370 billion climate plan was seen as a further threat to European manufacturing. The strategy to offer electric vehicle tax credits and subsidies to “green” initiatives could have effectively drawn business from the European continent into the United States while simultaneously reducing EU electric vehicle (EV) exports to the United States. EVs do not receive tax credits in Europe and are, therefore, more expensive to produce. The EU has perceived this U.S. policy move as a form of war profiteering. While the Russo-Ukrainian War threatens a very cold, very expensive winter in Europe, America is seen as attempting to poach manufacturing from the EU while simultaneously prolonging the war. Despite many Europeans continuing to support Kyiv in the ongoing struggle, quite a few are beginning to blame the United States for fanning the flames of war and reaping the benefits of increased weapons sales, not to mention capitalizing on the EU’s reduced economic productivity. German leader Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron have even discussed hitting back against what they claim are intentional market distortions aimed at shifting production to the United States. French President Emmanuel Macron (R), Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (L), then-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (C), Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (2nd L), and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 16, 2022. (Ludovic Marin/Pool via AP) As someone who supports policy that puts America first, I do not necessarily have a problem with the attempt to prioritize our own interests at the expense of others—if they are indeed beneficial to the United States. However, in the end, the goals of the United States and Europe are one and the same: keep unprofitable businesses afloat in pursuit of ideological ends by increasing government

EU Socialist Scandal: Here’s the Lesson for the US

Commentary

The European Union is currently in the midst of one of its largest corruption scandals to date.

There are credible allegations that Qatar—the Gulf state that recently hosted the FIFA World Cup—bribed a number of high-level EU figures in order to exert influence on European politics.

Some may well ask: Why should we care about what is a decidedly European scandal, anyways?

Quite simply: It demonstrates the dangers of ceding national sovereignty and putting ideology above actual interests. EU policy happens to be largely directed by left-wing ideology. Political elites in the United States seek to emulate both the European technocratic model and the leftist impetus behind their supranational political regime.

The individuals involved in this high-level corruption scheme are all, in one way or another, associated with left-leaning political parties and organizations.

Given the various connections, the Qatari corruption scandal could implicate (or at least lead to investigations and questioning of) up to 60 Members of the European Parliament (MEP), mostly members of the body’s Socialists and Reformers parliamentary group.

But the answer as to why you should care about this European imbroglio has little to do with the political leanings of those involved (although the fact that they are all far-left politicians should not necessarily be ignored).

We are often told in this country that the EU represents a superior governance model to our own. While retaining certain legislative initiatives, the organization forces member states to relinquish a large amount of their national sovereignty and hand over decision-making to a largely unelected group of elitist bureaucrats.

This is what our own political leaders wish to move toward: removing power from the American electorate, and embedding it in unelected bodies of technocrats and “experts” who can implement efficient administrative rule at the expense of messy and nationalist American-style republicanism.

A view shows supply pipes
The Ruhr Oel petroleum refineries of BP Gelsenkirchen GmbH in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, on March 8, 2022. (Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images)

For example, the EU on Dec. 18 reached a deal on the world’s first major carbon border tax. This will significantly increase the price of energy imports into the European Union. At the same time, carbon-intensive industries in Europe are under the world’s most stringent emissions standards. So importing cheap fuel becomes more onerous, while manufacturing inside of the EU remains hamstrung by high energy prices. Taken together, the effect is to ensure that the cost of “dirty” fuels remains sky-high on the European continent while regulation for industry becomes even tougher.

The net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 goal is prioritized over the ability of EU member states to secure reliable energy for their respective citizenries—and manufacturing sectors. One doubts whether these nations would so willingly accept such ideological policy prescriptions at the expense of their own interests if it weren’t for pressure from Brussels.

As for the United States, the Biden administration’s $370 billion climate plan was seen as a further threat to European manufacturing. The strategy to offer electric vehicle tax credits and subsidies to “green” initiatives could have effectively drawn business from the European continent into the United States while simultaneously reducing EU electric vehicle (EV) exports to the United States. EVs do not receive tax credits in Europe and are, therefore, more expensive to produce.

The EU has perceived this U.S. policy move as a form of war profiteering. While the Russo-Ukrainian War threatens a very cold, very expensive winter in Europe, America is seen as attempting to poach manufacturing from the EU while simultaneously prolonging the war.

Despite many Europeans continuing to support Kyiv in the ongoing struggle, quite a few are beginning to blame the United States for fanning the flames of war and reaping the benefits of increased weapons sales, not to mention capitalizing on the EU’s reduced economic productivity. German leader Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron have even discussed hitting back against what they claim are intentional market distortions aimed at shifting production to the United States.

eu leaders
French President Emmanuel Macron (R), Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (L), then-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (C), Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (2nd L), and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 16, 2022. (Ludovic Marin/Pool via AP)

As someone who supports policy that puts America first, I do not necessarily have a problem with the attempt to prioritize our own interests at the expense of others—if they are indeed beneficial to the United States.

However, in the end, the goals of the United States and Europe are one and the same: keep unprofitable businesses afloat in pursuit of ideological ends by increasing government control over important sectors of the economy.

The net effect? Both become less independent, citizens’ economic freedom and property rights become less secure, and subsequent reliance on the whims of foreign nations is increased.

Mohammad Chahim, a Dutch socialist politician who worked on the carbon border tax law for the European Parliament, called the measure a “crucial pillar” of European climate policies.

All of the socialist politicians currently being targeted in the ongoing corruption scandal would undoubtedly agree with this assessment. While Europe continues to destroy its own ability to access cheap and available energy, the EU must look to alternate sources to keep the lights on and the heat flowing.

One of these alternate sources happens to be, of all places, Qatar. Last month, Germany signed a 15-year contract with the Gulf Country for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. Qatar was responsible for a quarter of the EU’s LNG imports last year. Its leaders have now claimed that the ongoing accusations of Qatari corruption could have a negative impact on cooperation between the two.

Did the corruption scandal have anything to do with access to Qatari LNG? Likely not, but the fact that the EU has chosen to prioritize green policy agendas that sacrifice energy security undoubtedly means that it has even less leverage when it comes to its foreign policy. If Qatar follows through and cuts supplies, it would be a huge blow to an already weakened EU. Chances are that Brussels will have to offer some type of olive branch to preempt this from happening.

Unfortunately, the incestuous nature of elite politics in Europe is not so different from what happens in Washington. The ongoing scandal demonstrates how removing power from the hands of the nation-state increases the space between policymakers and the individuals to whom they are meant to answer. This space is often filled with ideology. The potential for hidden corruption and shady backroom dealing subsequently skyrockets as well.

Likewise, if America’s oil and gas spigots were still open, how much more leverage would the United States have in protecting our own industry while simultaneously aiding Europe’s ability to access reliable energy without turning to the Gulf countries? When you have options on the table, and there’s enough for everyone to eat, foreign policy doesn’t have to necessarily be a zero-sum endeavor.

But it’s when the whole tribe is starving that the hunt becomes every man for himself.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Dominick Sansone is a doctoral student at the Hillsdale College Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship. He is a regular contributor to The Epoch Times, and has additionally been published at The American Conservative, The Federalist, and the Washington Examiner.