
This report contains 18 country chapters, all from EU member states, and a further one focused on the EU's perspective on Europe's difficult balancing act between the US, a long-term strategic and economic partner, and China, the EU's second most important market and, probably, the next economic superpower. The evidence presented in this report shows how US unilateralism and Chinese assertiveness have triggered a rethinking of the EU's strategic landscape. Despite the differences between EU member states, its key finding is that all the countries analysed are in a similar position. They all consider the US their most important ally and they all depend on its military protection, but they also want to do as much business with China as possible. The EU sees trouble in both its major partners, and in their rivalry, but it also needs them both for its prosperity. By performing this balancing act, the common European objective is to avoid a bipolar system in which EU member states are forced to pick sides on all relevant policy issues. This is reflected in the reluctance of many member states to issue a blanket ban on Chinese companies' access to their 5G markets. This report also highlights the different strategies employed by the various EU countries to implement this balancing act. States like Portugal, Greece and Italy, due to their history and geographical location, are keen to present themselves as a bridge between the US and China.
Page Count:
185
Publication Date:
2020-01-01
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