The European Union, between the United States and China

The European Union (EU) has long aimed to strengthen and make its foreign and security policy more coherent. The Lisbon Treaty established a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a new diplomatic body, the European External Action Service (EEAS). Despite progress, particularly in defense cooperation, the EU still lacks a coherent and effective foreign policy, especially since the departure of the UK has reduced its economic, political, and military weight.

In a radically changing international climate, Europe has become increasingly aware of the need to act more autonomously and decisively. Instability in its neighborhood has worsened due to Russia’s aggressive policies, and the challenges presented by China’s rise have become more apparent as the unilateralism of the Trump presidency shook confidence in the transatlantic alliance.

In this context, the High Representative Josep Borrell spoke of Europe needing to learn the language of power: a new terrain for a Union whose fundamental principles aim to overcome power politics by consolidating national sovereignties and a rules-based system defining its external action. Foreign and security policy remains largely a national prerogative, with economic policy tools like trade, investment, competition policy, and the single currency being activated at the European level. The challenge lies in effectively combining all action instruments within a coherent framework.

President Biden began his term by announcing the US’s return to multilateralism and closer cooperation with allies. This also implies a return to global leadership based on shared democratic values. Europeans have largely welcomed Biden’s election and his program to renew American engagement. However, they also wonder whether Trump’s “America first” approach – treating allies more as adversaries than friends – was an aberration, or if the deep polarization in the American political system still threatens a US withdrawal from the world stage and the post-war alliance system.

PLAN

• The end of illusions: American and European positions on China before Trump
• American unilateralism: competition with China
• China remains at the heart of US foreign policy
• What role for Europe in this power struggle?
• Discovering the Indo-Pacific

Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, Secretary-General of the Franco-Austrian Center for European Convergence (CFA), served as the EU ambassador to Beijing from 2014 to 2018.

Translated from English by Cadenza Academic Translations.