Just ask Boeing. This flagship of American engineering and industrial might has been locked in a bitter battle with Europe's Airbus Industries, which receives significant financial support from some of the largest members of the European Union. The recent announcement by Airbus that it would challenge Boeing's previously untouchable lead in the largest size airliners was laced with the language of rivalry and war. Some would say that this is just the sort of economic competition that goes on all around the world. It is but when combined with disagreements over environmental treaties, national missile defense, the development of a European defense force separate from NATO, resentment at the global influence of American popular culture, and the strain on NATO of a decade of problems in the Balkans, it suggests a more fundamental separation and rivalry between the United States and Europe.
Nations seek allies, as they confront enemies.
The writings of Chinese military authorities confirm this. China will naturally seek allies to help it in its confrontation with the United States. These allies will be those who also find the United States threatening or at least problematic. The detention of the EP-3's crew and the banana dispute point to a future world in which China and Europe will be arrayed against the United States. Like other nations, the United States will seek allies, as it confronts its enemies.