That right there says it all. And how shall America be able to look after itself when it has fixated itself on Asian products which mainly benefits the Asian military? What about America making products in America? So far we've been taking care of other countries when we should be taking care of our own. In the U.S. being fixated on another nation doesn't solve the problem of "miscommunication" that we've had with Europe.
As for the problems of miscommunication with Europe, I happen to live here and these sheeple are deaf, dumb and blinded by retheoric from their socialist politicians. The bill is coming due here; the Value Added Taxes are around 20% on every purchase in Europe; in Germany gas is about a dollar a liter (3.75 liter = 1 gallon US); in The Netherlands a liter of prem gas is about 1.30 euro.... The governments in Europe scrape 50-72% off the top of your salary before you buy gas or make other purchases. The VAT started as temporary measures about the time the US Marshall Plan monies dried up for rebuilding Europe after WWII at the end of the sixities. Europe's grand medical and social programs were actually brought about by the savings to Europeans due to the Marshall Plan money in their economy. In Belgium, nearly 1/2 of the workforce is retired, unemployed and the other 1/2 enjoy fantastic benefits to the tune of 5 weeks vaction a year, 38 hour workweeks (and a very basic medical that is best for catastrophic illness's but not much on the medical maintenance coverage). Germany has over 10% unemployment, France more still. The misunderstanding with these three countries is attributable to the sudden realization that the very lucerative illicit trade with Iraq is about to come to an end; count Russia into the group that stands to lose but in worst financial shape due to no economy at all. European politicians in Belgium, France and Germany are very far to the Left and under severe pressure from the Conservative Right (it is not all the Eric Heiders either:)). There is a slow realization that the gravy train is coming to an end in European countries and Leftist Government Services cannot much longer exist - and so many stand to lose everything they were promised so they continue to vote to the left - but not enough is LEFT inside the economy to continue the chirade (French Chirac) much longer. This Conservative pressure will lead to further loses in Germany and France the next election cycle and this will correct the Miscommunication with those two European countries; Belgium is specail case but I suspect the weakening Euro this Summer will help maintain, along with their Colonies abroad, their Left leaning Politicians another 5-7 years. There is nothing American can do to apease or fix the transalantic rift, but Europeans themselves will vote the problems away.
Left in America and Europe are solemates, joined at the hip in opposition ot Republican Administrated America. Nothing will change this either:) Sad but time will wound all heels from the Left.
Therefore, given the 2-5 year duration of this rift, America cannot dwell on Europe but rather let her run her course as America expands her own horizons; In a very real sense the primary threats in the timeframe beyond 5-10 years lies in Asia as well - better to trade and intertwine the economies of all Asian countries to prevent them from fighting.... Globalization is a real risk but unavoidable.