Present US foreign policy ideology undermines Int´l order

President Alexander Stubb on Wednesday said that the United States is an important ally for Europe but pointed out that the ideology of foreign policy of the current US administration is contradictory and undermines the current international order.

“The foreign policy of the current US administration is based on an ideology that contradicts our own values, for example, in that it undermines the current international order,” said the President while speaking at the opening of the spring session of the parliament.

He said that increasingly, it involves operating outside international institutions and in the list of priorities for US foreign policy, Europe ranks behind the Western Hemisphere and the Asia Pacific region.

He also said that three factors are currently most influential in shaping European security.

“First, the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Second, China’s emergence as a great power. And third, the new foreign and security policy doctrine of the United States,” said Stubb, adding that all of these are also shaping the world towards a direction where international relations are increasingly determined by power.

He said that maintaining the international rules-based system is in Finland’s best interest and a world without rules is a harsh reality for a small country.

“This is not a question of idealism, and not even one limited to our values. This is, in fact, about defending our interests. Our interests concern our security, the economy and, ultimately, our everyday lives and standard of living,” he said.

He said that whatever the situation, Finland will defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

“These principles are important to us. Respecting them has far-reaching implications for global stability and well-being. Most recently, we were reminded of these principles in connection with Greenland,” said the President.

As it was his final opening speech in this parliamentary term, he told the lawmakers that they will not win elections by attacking others.

“This is the second, and final, time I will open Parliament during the present parliamentary term. The election year is approaching. Of course, I should not be giving you advice. But based on my experience, you will not win elections by attacking others. Few are interested in the things you oppose. Many are interested in the things you stand for,” he said.