By Piotr Smolar
Politics in the United States has become so violent and deeply partisan that its practitioners have lost the habit of sophisticated speeches. It took a British king to remind them of that tradition. On Tuesday, April 28, King Charles III delivered an address before the US Congress on the second day of his state visit. His speech was carefully crafted, striking a balance between shared historical references, humor and reminders of fundamental principles.
Without seeking confrontation, in line with his elevated status, Charles III subtly highlighted many of the differences between European allies and the Trump administration: on climate, the rule of law, the relevance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine. The British sovereign said he hoped that "we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking."
"The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear alone," noted the king. Charles III praised the "Atlantic partnership," at a time when Donald Trump has been criticizing the NATO allies for their lack of military involvement in the war in Iran. Recalling the invocation of Article 5 among Alliance members after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the US, he stated that "that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people. It is needed in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace." Here again, the implicit message to the Trump administration, which often leans toward the Russian aggressor, seemed clear. The king defended his country and the British government, emphasizing "the biggest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War."
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