Safeguarding its autonomy between the United States and China was already proving difficult for the EU. But as Washington and Brussels seem to be becoming more closely aligned on how to handle Beijing’s rise, Russia and China seem to be cooperating more closely, too.

The US policy on Taiwan may be ambiguous. The EU’s stand, however, is so ambiguous it barely exists. Brussels would do well to prepare for fast-rising tensions in the Taiwan Straight.

Europe’s slow response to the bloody coup in Myanmar highlights a key weakness of European foreign policy: It always tries to play it safe. This significantly reduces its potential effectiveness. 

A new dialogue forum between Brussels and London on China—and by extension, the Indo-Pacific—would be in the interest of both.