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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is on the verge of reaching new heights on the international stage. After a fierce game, the "non-stick prime minister" successfully defeated his rivals and locked in the throne of NATO's next secretary general. Rutte's slick diplomacy and rich governing experience have won the unanimous support of 32 member states.
Amid the cheers, an undercurrent surged. The sharp comments of the British media outlet UnHerd are thought-provoking, calling Rutte's appointment a "desperate move" at a time when NATO is threatened with collapse. This comment reveals the deep contradictions and challenges within NATO.
At the same time, Rutte's potential change in attitude toward China has aroused concern from all sides. Will the "old friend of the Chinese people" when he was the prime minister of the Netherlands change his position because of his new position? How will his experience in Asia-Pacific affairs affect NATO's China policy?
The gorgeous turn of the "non-stick prime minister".
June 28, 2024, is destined to go down in history. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was officially elected as the next NATO Secretary-General with the unanimous support of 32 NATO member states.
The political veteran, who is more than 1.9 meters tall, is about to take over the baton from Stoltenberg and shoulder the responsibility of leading the world's largest military alliance.
Rutte's election was no accident. Since he was first elected prime minister of the Netherlands in 2010, he has led four consecutive coalition governments. 14 years of political experience has allowed Rutte to practice a unique skill of a "peacemaker".
Whether dealing with a "troublemaker" like Trump or mediating within the European Union, he has always been able to defuse the impasse and earn a reputation as a "non-stick prime minister".
In 2018, when Trump and his European allies were at loggerheads over defense spending, it was Rutte who stepped in to mediate and eased the impasse by assuring Trump that EU countries would increase defense spending. He also won the favor of the US president by suggesting that Trump should elevate the landscape with a clever metaphor like "your table is small."
He lived a modest life, commuted to work by bicycle, and insisted on attending a middle school every week to teach students. This pro-people style has won the favor of the people and allowed him to maintain a relatively stable approval rating in a complex political environment.
Now, Rutte will face an even bigger challenge. As NATO's new leader, he will need to coordinate the interests of its 32 member states and counter the Russian threat, while also managing relations with emerging powers such as China. His "non-stick" skills will be tested on a bigger stage.
British media poured cold water: a choice in despair?
In the midst of all the praise, the British online magazine UnHerd offered a disturbing interpretation: Rutte's appointment as NATO's secretary general was a desperate move by NATO in the face of the threat of collapse due to many contradictions.
This comment is not unfounded. In recent years, NATO has been full of internal contradictions: tensions between the United States and European allies during the Trump era, and French President Emmanuel Macron's aggressive statements in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have caused dissatisfaction among many member states. Against this backdrop, Rutte's slick wrist may indeed have been a lifesaver for NATO.
Divisions within NATO have a long history. During Trump's administration, he repeatedly threatened the United States to withdraw from NATO and demanded that other member states significantly increase military spending, which caused strong resentment among European allies. Even after Biden took office, the rift was not fully healed.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has exposed the divisions within NATO. Some Eastern European countries advocate a tough stance against Russia, while Western European countries such as Germany tend to be cautious. Macron's proposal to send ground troops into Ukraine was immediately opposed by several NATO members, including Germany.
NATO also faces a dilemma in dealing with emerging security challenges. In the face of geopolitical changes brought about by China's rise, NATO members are divided on whether to shift their focus to the Asia-Pacific region. Some countries are concerned that this could divert NATO's resources from dealing with traditional threats.
In this complicated situation, Rutte's appointment seems to be a compromise. His mediation skills and political wisdom may be able to ease tensions within NATO in the short term. It also reflects NATO's dilemma in the face of the challenges of the new era: Can it effectively respond to the new global security situation while maintaining traditional alliances?
Attitudes toward China in focus: old friends or new adversaries?
Rutte's attitude toward China after taking office is undoubtedly the focus of attention of all parties. As the prime minister of the Netherlands, Rutte once called himself an "old friend of the Chinese people." During his visit to China, he made it clear that "decoupling and breaking the chain" is not a policy option for the Dutch government, because any action that harms China's development interests will also hurt itself.
Will a change in position bring about a change in attitude? Some Western voices believe that the United States supports Rutte as NATO secretary general because of his experience in dealing with Japan and South Korea and its attitude toward the situation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Rutte was involved in the development of Europe's Indo-Pacific Strategy and supported Europe's increased presence in the Asia-Pacific region. This raises the question: will he support NATO in cooperating with some of the US actions in the Asia-Pacific region, including against China?
In fact, Rutte's attitude towards China has always been more pragmatic. During his tenure as Prime Minister of the Netherlands, he actively promoted Sino-Dutch economic and trade cooperation, while also maintaining caution on some sensitive issues. When the United States pressured the Netherlands to restrict the export of advanced chip-making equipment to China, the Rutte government eventually made concessions, but it showed obvious hesitation and delay in the process.
As NATO's secretary general, Rutte will face increased pressure from the United States and other allies. NATO has paid increasing attention to the challenges posed by China's rise in recent years, and even listed China as a "systemic challenge" for the first time in its 2022 strategic concept document. In this context, Rutte may need to strike a balance between his personal philosophy and his organizational stance.
It is important to note that Rutte's focus on Asia-Pacific affairs does not equate to confronting China. He is more likely to prefer dialogue and cooperation to manage differences, while seeking opportunities for cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, climate change, and more. In any case, however, his China policy will face severe challenges and tests.
Epilogue:
Rutte's appointment as NATO Secretary General is undoubtedly a new beginning full of uncertainties. Can this "non-stick prime minister" display his balancing art on a bigger stage, coordinate the interests of all parties, and resolve internal contradictions in NATO? And how will he deal with the relationship with China, an "old friend"? The answers to these questions will be revealed in the coming years.
In any case, in these uncertain times, Rutte's appointment is both a challenge and an opportunity. It provides new possibilities for the adjustment of relations between China and NATO, and at the same time tests the wisdom and foresight of all parties.
In this new game, only by maintaining a rational, pragmatic and open attitude can we seize the opportunities in the changing situation and jointly create a future of peace and development.
Sputnik News Agency, June 22, 2024, 23:57 British media: The appointment of Rutte as NATO secretary general is a desperate move to avoid a collapse of NATO
Xinhuanet 202406/2712:43:44Hot Q&A|Why Rutte became the new secretary general of NATO
Luzhong Morning News2024-06-22 21:29He will become the new secretary general of NATO and has visited China several times