President Trump has attracted a new storm of criticism over his apparent suggestion to the Spanish foreign minister that Spain build a wall across the Sahara Desert. But while the idea of such a wall is obviously impractical, many Europeans will receive it far more kindly than the Twitter commentariat would suggest.
A very significant number of Europeans are deeply concerned about controlling illegal immigration to the continent. If nothing else, Trump’s idea will be positively perceived by many Europeans as a representation that he shares their urgency about resolving illegal-immigration. That renders a shallow wit to those on Twitter attacking Trump. After all, European political elites have long scorned immigration concerns as the preserve of simple racists. But now, democratic activism is forcing them to take notice and action.
It’s an activism rendered in the Austrian government’s junior coalition partner, a dedicated anti-immigration party.
It’s an activism rendered in German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s unending struggle against the rising anti-immigration AfD party.
It’s an activism rendered in the popular wall that Hungarian leader Viktor Orban has built around his borders.
It’s an activism rendered in Italy’s hardline anti-immigration interior minister.
It’s an activism rendered in the Sweden Democrats astounding success in recent parliamentary elections.
it’s an activism rendered in the Netherlands, where anti-Islam activist Geert Wilders leads the second-largest party in the parliament.
It’s an activism rendered in Spain, where Borrell’s socialists are under pressure as the opposition focuses on rising immigration levels as a major concern.
Don’t get me wrong, many of these groups take anti-immigration sentiments too far into a realm of defining prejudice. Still, their power exists for a reason and that reason is popular opinion. In turn, there’s a special irony in Borrell being the one to claim that Trump made his Sahara comment. Because as a longtime European Union establishment figure and leader in the Spanish socialist party, Borrell defines the political establishment that is so mistrusted by so many Europeans. And while Borrell might think he has skillfully embarrassed Trump, he’s playing a dangerous game. With Spain now the most popular illegal-immigrant arrival point in Europe, Borrell’s party is the one that must resolve the issue or face the electoral whirlwind.
There’s one final factor here: terrorism. An array of highly dangerous terrorist groups use the Sahara to train and manage their operations. This number includes al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (which loves chemical weapons), and ISIS (which loves attacking Europe). So while Trump’s wall idea was silly, his greater sense of security in the Sahara was entirely legitimate.
In short, it’s not Trump’s idea that matters most here, but rather the fact that his concerns speak to a very common and rising sentiment across the European continent.
