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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
