E.U. Sets Out Its Worldview
We are living in an “era of hyper-competitive and hyper-transactional geopolitics. Gone is the world of hyper-globalisation and ever more cooperation. These days the international environment looks stark and even dark where “countries are weaponising their sources of strength against each other.” That was the view this week of the EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, as she outlined a “more direct and focused foreign policy” at a gathering of EU ambassadors in Brussels.
Here is a little more of what she said about the world the E.U. perceives today:
“This is a world where we can no longer take much for granted – including the rules and norms that were built over the past 70 years. A world in which major powers try to eke out any possible advantage using whatever tool works best – whether it be economic, technological or security tools. Sometimes all three at the same time. A world in which there is now a concerted attempt to build spheres of influence – and even grab land – much like in the 19th century or at the height of the Cold War. A world in which new authoritarian powers are clubbing together with a rogue Russia – ready to pounce on any division or weaknesses in alliances. A world in which emerging powers have become disillusioned with the way the international system works – and are increasingly looking for alternatives. In most cases, they will work with whoever puts the best offer on the table.”
The E.U. could take two broad approaches in its foreign policy, focusing on how the world ought to be or dealing with the world as it is. Given the world that the Commission President has described, it is no wonder that the E.U. has chosen to “deal with the world as we find it.” She said that it will do so while staying “true to who we are and what we believe in.” The E.U. is focusing on what it can control, and navigating what it can’t.
Europe has several key international challenges to deal with. In its neighbourhood, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (an EU candidate country) remains ongoing. The E.U. and its member states have already supported the country, amounting to EUR 134 billion, “more than anyone else”, and the E.U. has said it is committed to Ukraine for as long as it takes as it seeks to deter possible further Russian expansion. However, Ukraine cannot depend on the E.U. alone and needs American support. European defence is still too dependent on its closest friend and NATO ally, the United States. However, the recent US elections have just returned a Euroskeptic to the White House whose leadership style takes a more transactional approach to long-term allies.