Sunday, February 2, 2025
Foreign Policy site offers an interesting analysis titled "Europe’s Four Different Ways of Handling Trump: From Vacuous Moralizers to Pragmatic Engagers, European Governments Are Divided Once Again."
The article outlines four distinct groups in Europe regarding their approach to Trump's presidency: 1. Right-wing populist leaders, like Hungary's Orban and Italy's Meloni, ideologically align with Trump but pursue their own strategic interests. 2. The pragmatic engagers, including Poland and the Baltic states, prioritize strong U.S. ties due to security concerns and support increased defense spending. 3. The moralizers, exemplified by Germany's Scholz, emphasize international norms but hesitate to take a leadership role in confronting security threats. Finally, 4. France sees transatlantic tensions as an opportunity to assert its vision of European strategic autonomy. These divisions complicate Europe's ability to present a unified stance on U.S. relations.
On a lighter note, last week, I chatted with my family and friends. One notices some behavior among the second generation of Chinese-Americans towards DeepSeek. Specifically, some of them have been vocal in expressing pro-U.S. and anti-China views—sometimes even more vehemently than the average American.
This phenomenon is complex and multifaceted, rooted in personal maturity, identity struggles, external pressures, the need to feel secure, and historical context.
Identity and Assimilation – Growing up in America, many second-generation immigrants feel a strong pressure to prove their full American identity and loyalty among "Americans," often without the hyphen. This pressure is especially strong among young people, who may adopt anti-China stances as a way of demonstrating loyalty to the U.S. and distancing themselves from any perceived dual allegiance. For some, this is a reaction to the fear of being seen as "foreign" because of their yellow skin.
Reaction to Political Pressures – In today's hostile climate of heightened U.S.-China tensions, some Chinese-Americans may feel compelled to publicly affirm their alignment with American values in order to avoid being seen as disloyal. This phenomenon isn't new in American history; other immigrant groups have faced similar pressures to sever ties with their ancestral homelands in times of geopolitical stress. For example, during World War II, Japanese-Americans faced immense pressure to prove their loyalty to the U.S.
Personal Maturity and Confidence – Some second-generation Chinese-Americans are mature enough to avoid this identity crisis. They are confident in who they are, comfortably straddling both cultures. However, many others, feeling insecure and under pressure to identify with mainstream American society, may overcompensate by adopting more extreme anti-China views. This overcompensation is a defense mechanism against feelings of insecurity and a desire for acceptance.
Historical Parallels – There's a striking parallel to the Cultural Revolution in China, where some individuals performed extreme acts of loyalty to demonstrate their "purity" as revolutionaries. Similarly, some 2nd-gen Chinese-Americans may feel the need to express more intense anti-China sentiments to prove their loyalty and gain credibility and acceptance in American society. This historical context highlights how geopolitical tensions can exacerbate internal conflicts within immigrant communities.
A Diverse Spectrum of Experiences – Of course, individual motivations vary, and not all 2nd-gen Chinese-Americans hold these views. The issue is complex, revolving around identity, belonging, personal maturity, and psychological insecurity.
Ultimately, it may be best understood as a response to the pressures of assimilation and geopolitical realities faced by people torn between two conflicting worlds. In fact, many individuals successfully navigate their dual identities, confident and embracing both their Chinese heritage and American upbringing. These individuals often serve as bridges between cultures, fostering mutual understanding and respect.