Quite genuinely, Mr.Bush does not appear too see a stronger Western Europe as a threat to an America that is not as strong as it used to be, but rather as a rich ally that can take up some slack.

• 毫无疑问，布什似不认为强大的西欧会威胁国力不如以前的美国。毋宁是一个可以填补空档的富裕盟邦。