The problem of the EU\'s geo-economic choice - between the US and China

Nikolić Goran (Institut za evropske studije, Beograd), goranvnikolic@gmail.com
Zvezdanović Lobanova Jelena (Institut društvenih nauka, Beograd), jzvezdanovic@idn.org.rs
Ćurčić Petar (Institut za evropske studije, Beograd), petar.pero.curcic@gmail.com

Although the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) have historically been aligned, this harmony can no longer be taken for granted. That is especially the case due to changes in US foreign policy and China’s economic strengthening, which have led the EU to increasingly pursue greater strategic autonomy, thereby necessitating a reassessment of its geo‐economic position in global relations. For now, the EU is trying to manoeuvre skilfully to maintain the US as a key partner while preserving economic relations with China. This strategy is associated with increased efforts towards trade diversification, namely by concluding as many trade agreements as possible with countries perceived by the EU as allies, which should enhance its role in global governance. Concurrently, the EU is also trying to strengthen its position in the global security system, which entails a limited level of cooperation with China. Most European politicians assume that the Trump administration will not last and that the US has a strategic interest in continuing cooperation with its European allies. Nevertheless, this “triangle” lacks close and consistent engagement with China.

Keywords: geo‐economics, EU, US, China, strategic autonomy