Honest question: why? Why should Europe unite with the US against China?
I don't mean this as a challenge, I'm not trying to argue either way¸ I'm just curious about the reasoning behind your statement.
I don't think the US (or the EU) can change Chinese policies on a list of issues alone. At least not without a tonne of backlash at home over the economic results. So the EU (/US) (plus a list of othets) either need to unite on those issues or accept them happening.
The issues I'm thinking about are: Hong Kong, freedoms in wider China, treatment of minorities, coronavirus and the recent clashes in India (I don't want to take sides, I just want two nuclear powers to stop shooting at each other). You may disagree with one or more of these issues. But I'd be surprised if you think nothing on this list warrents at least some international pressure?
I'm more than happy to admit that none of the places I've listed are perfect. And we all have bones to pick with each other. But right now we're squabbling over very little while China sets up camps and deployed troops...
China is already harassing and sinking fishing vessels and trying to close the South China Sea. It may soon try to enforce an ADIZ over the SC Sea as well. Not great.
China is a growing aggressive power with cyber attacks across a multitude of countries and is running, like Russia, disinformation campaigns to undermine democracy.
It is in the interest of EU and the US, and indeed many countries, to have a rules-based international order. It is increasingly in the interests of the US as its power is in relative decline.
There is a reason that the next president will have to restore trust to the US as world leader and will have a tougher job than normal.
The US isn't the only potential ally against Chinese influence, why should Europe align itself with America instead of other countries?
Also, do you think there's no argument to be made for changing China's behaviour through a partnership?
Of course! All countries that value a rules-based order should ally, and that would include the EU, the US, India, Australia, and the many other smaller countries.
> Also, do you think there's no argument to be made for changing China's behaviour through a partnership?
Been tried. India was trying that by letting China have a stake in the economy. It hasn't ummmm worked out so well.
China uses the economy as a tool for its own political aims.
How can you not see that they are waiting till trust re-appears.
1 example: If Europe would really partner up, Trump would require Russia to be in the table ( G7). The current situation is nuts and it's not Europe's fault.
Ps. Trump has no interest in peace and prosperity. Haven't you been paying attention? The US has never been this divided and the current leader thinks tweeting is more important.
The EU cannot afford to wait that long. China isn't taking a pause on its aggression. Indeed, its exploiting the US under Trump, Covid, etc to move aggressively now.
> The current situation is nuts and it's not Europe's fault.
"fault"? It doesn't have to be your fault if the mess still ends on your lap. And Europe (and I'm a European) being neighbours with Eurasia doesnt have the luxury of huge oceans separating it from revanchist powers.
The thing about democracy is, it's a slow process.
Currently the best thing is to wait till November and China knows that.
They are exploiting the situation, but in contrast. I think the "one road, one belt" will fail if they continue their exploitive behaviour.
Taiwan is not an easy topic right now, because it's a bit too early. Since Western democracy under Trump is not United :(
As soon as we can, harder measures should be employed.
But the EU cannot wait for Trump to go away because if he wins reelection that could be 5 years away. We don't have that time. The EU needs to work with what its got - work with India, Australia, PacRim countries.
The problem is that the EU is itself split with different interests. Someone has to provide leadership. The US president is the natural option but Trump has not stepped up. Someone else needs to - it cannot be Merkel as she's stepping down soon, but we urgently need leadership on the issue.
But that would cause additional problems because of his ego and childish behaviour. So the best thing currently, is still too wait. It will happen if Trump gets re-elected.
It's not easy for someone new to step-up immediately as the so-called leader of Western democracy.
We all know that Obama and Merkel were potentials/it and Trump isn't. We'll c.
Ps. I think the current/best move to counter China already started. But it seems to bit below the radar currently.
Trump's only interest is re-election.
The US govt is a huge entity with may players of which the president is one, albeit an important one. The US military, State, academia and other institutions are all actors and they do have an interest in peace and prosperity.
Presidents come and go, but institutions remain and it is important that the relevant institutions adopt a common posture towards China.
It's European money, that is taxed. Not money earned outside of the country.
American corporations squeezing money out of European countries would be a more accurate description.
Basic economic insight :)
It's not like those European countries have a gun to their head. They can always just create their own Google, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, Sony etc and stop using the products of foreign corporations. As a European, I personally very much like the services provided by these foreign corporations. I have many issues with them, but they are way better than (most of) the things I've seen made here.
That they can create alternatives is besides the point and has nothing to do with the digital-tax you were talking about.
They will do so when someone more trustworthy appears, but that is not the case currently.
You can't get trust, if you just take all pre-existing agreements and throw it out of the window.