Vance: If Europe had been independent, the Iraq War would not have happened

US Vice President JD Vance explained his views on European security, the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade tariffs, and transatlantic relations in an interview with a British media outlet.

In a phone interview to UnHerd, a British news and opinion website published this week, Vance said: "I love the people of Europe" and, emphasizing the cultural and historical ties between Europe and the United States, emphasized the need for the European continent to no longer consider itself a "permanent security ally" of the United States.

Vance's view on US-European relations

In this interview, Vance emphasized that American culture cannot be separated from European culture, and that the United States is the result of philosophies, spirits, and immigration patterns that originated in Europe.

Vance added: "It is not good for Europe to remain a security function of the United States forever. Greater European security independence would even be beneficial for America itself." Referring to the US attack on Iraq, he said that if Europe had been more independent at the time and had stood up to Washington, perhaps this global strategic disaster would not have occurred.

Vance, who himself has a history of serving in the US military and a mission in Iraq, said, “Something I know a little bit more personally: I think a lot of European nations were right about our invasion of Iraq. And frankly, if the Europeans had been a little more independent, and a little more willing to stand up, then maybe we could have saved the entire world from the strategic disaster that was the American-led invasion of Iraq."

He also echoed the Trump administration's frequent criticism of the inefficiency of European militaries, saying: "The reality, however bitter, is that the entire security architecture of Europe has been provided by the United States throughout my lifetime. Most European countries do not have armies that can defend themselves well."

Ukraine War

Vance, who had previously criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a controversial White House meeting with Trump, rejected claims that the Trump administration was biased towards Russian narratives about the war, saying: "It's ridiculous for Zelenskyy to tell a government that has practically maintained its entire governmental and military structure that it is on the side of the Russians."

Stressing that if Washington wants to end the Ukraine war, it must understand the strategic goals of both sides - both Russians and Ukrainians - he said that this does not mean moral support for Russia or approval of the attack, but rather an attempt to understand the red lines of both sides.

Effects of Trump's Tariffs

Vance said in another part of his interview, referring to Trump's trade policies: "In the long term, our goal is to reduce the trade deficit in all areas. Sometimes, a trade deficit makes sense, but the current global trading system has led to large and persistent trade deficits in most commodity sectors, while most countries have used the U.S. market as a place to absorb their surplus exports.”

“It’s been bad for us; it’s been bad for American manufacturers; it’s been bad for our workers and, God forbid, if America goes to war in the future, it’s going to be bad for our soldiers,” the vice president added.

Vance acknowledged that the tariffs imposed by Trump have caused a sharp drop in global stock markets. While some of those losses have been recouped, analysts have warned that the trade war will continue to destabilize markets. Acknowledging the financial turmoil, Vance stressed that “the disruption of markets is the price to pay for a fundamental change in the global trading system.”

Trade relations with Britain

Vance said the US was trying to reach a trade deal with one of its closest historical allies, and he considered the chances of such a deal with Britain to be high.

“We are working hard with the Keir Starmer government. The president loves Britain. He loved the Queen and had great respect for the monarch. It is a very important relationship. Of course, he is a businessman and he has important business relations in Britain, but I think this relationship goes beyond commercial interests; there is a real cultural affinity. America is an Anglo-Saxon country.”

Vance said that some European countries, including Germany, have a larger trade deficit with the US, so reaching an agreement with the EU or its 27 members will be more difficult.

“Our relationship with Britain is much more reciprocal than Germany,” he added. "We love the Germans, but they are heavily dependent on exports to the US, while they have created many barriers against American companies exporting to their market."