7. Transatlantic Relations and Europe’s Missing Asia Pivot

The largest geopolitical revolution of the current age is the end of almost two centuries of Western dominance and the rise of Asia. Although there are multiple opportunities for EU engagement with China and the USA at different levels, there are also clear risks, since engaging with one will send out clear signals to the other. A level of autonomy is clearly desirable so that the EU is not seen as an American proxy in the more sensitive areas of engagement with Asia, especially on security questions. It is also equally important to coax China towards normative agendas that promote multilateral approaches and the rule of law. This will imply pro-active engagement with China in the Silk Roads projects in particular. Both will be delicate balancing acts and ones that will require a good deal of strategic insight and diplomatic finesse.