Europe’s Delicate Balancing Act
The gloves are off between the United States and China. How should the Europeans respond?
The gloves are off between the United States and China. How should the Europeans respond?
Germany’s China policy was long shaped by the country’s economic interests and the illusion that engagement could help bring about change. Beijing’s more assertive foreign policy has led to an awakening in Berlin. But how far will the German government go in redefining its relations with China?
The European Union needs to urgently prepare for uncertain times ahead and begin to build the blocks of “de-risking” its relations with China.
Russia’s war against Ukraine marks less a rupture in globalization than Russia’s self-imposed removal from the global economy. One consequence may be a more balanced relationship between China and the West.
The frenetic growth of world trade has been over for some time. Geopolitical risks are now leading to a new order. This by no means heralds a phase of deglobalization—which is empirically unlikely and would be costly economically. The European Union would do well, however, to ensure greater diversification.
Geopolitical and geoeconomic conflicts are mounting, and the EU is responding with renewed vigor in trade agreements. But it also urgently needs to move forward with World Trade Organization reform.
Global economic changes make it likely that the international monetary system will no longer be so dominated by the dollar. The question, though, is whether the euro or the yuan can take on the baton.
What is the role of the EU in the system of world trade? Can it hold its own between the United States and China? Yes, as long as its internal market remains attractive, says Sabine Weyand, the European Commission’s Director-General for Trade.
While the center of economic gravity has already moved to Asia, Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine has reaffirmed Europe’s role as the center stage of international affairs.
The best way to strengthen the transatlantic partnership is to address immediate challenges in ways that also position both sides to cope with, and even thrive in, a dawning “Age of Disruption.”
Europeans have to make an extra effort to maintain the transatlantic relationship. Some suggestions for what they should and should not do.
Transatlantic relations are close but could be closer, says Ben Rhodes, former foreign policy advisor to President Obama. What’s missing is greater alignment on China policy. And there’s also the danger of the US turning into an autocracy.