As China continues its military expansion and Washington divides the Indo-Pacific into democratic friends and autocratic foes, the EU and ASEAN are the only forces that can credibly jump to the rescue of multilateralism and rules-based trade.
Ties between the EU and India have become closer in recent years, as their interests increasingly align and Europe increasingly recognizes India’s geopolitical role in the Indo-Pacific.
To successfully answer the challenge of China’s Belt and Road Initiative with its new connectivity strategy, the EU needs to form a clearer picture of where and how the BRI is succeeding.
Better coordination is needed if Europeans are to contribute to the region’s security and defense and be seen as serious partners by the countries there.
The European relationship with much of Asia is rapidly evolving, largely as a result of changing relations with Beijing. The EU faces the danger of getting caught between the United States and China.
Many in Madrid hope that a post-Merkel government will accept that a monetary union is impossible without a fiscal union. In this and other areas, paying more attention to Spain would be a chance to advance the EU.
French President Emmanuel Macron has banked on Franco-German cooperation, an approach that finally proved successful in 2020. With Angela Merkel leaving the scene, he needs to build bridges to her potential successors, and quickly.
Germany’s approach to relations with Poland in recent years has been characterized by caution. A new government in Berlin that includes the Greens could shake things up, ultimately for the better.
With the former ECB President Mario Draghi at the helm, Italy is finally making a comeback as a major European player.
