Europe is more a competitor than ally

Peter Brown in the Orlando Sentinel finally hits home with the truth about Europe. The days of calling them Allies, are over.//JW sends.

The American people should consider President Bush's visit to Europe the same way we would view one to China -- a business trip to a rival whose interests and ours often differ.

Until Europe show it once again wants to be a U.S. ally, rather than an ambitious competitor, it would be foolish to treat the Europeans otherwise.

Bush understands the changing nature of the U.S. relationship with the continent from which most of our citizens trace their heritage. He is aware of the animus with which he is viewed there and that most of its leaders rooted for his defeat last year.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit this month sought to mend fences, but she did not apologize for U.S. policies that have driven a wedge in trans-Atlantic relations, nor did she suggest they would change.

Bush's refusal to bow to the European Union view that it is a countervailing force to the United States in world affairs to which he must cater, is at the root of the increasing disharmony between us and them.