Western neutrality between America and China is a “great-power delusion” that leaves countries exposed to coercion by the Chinese Communist Party, argues Luke de Pulford. He criticises leaders such as Emmanuel Macron for urging Europe not to become “vassals” of Washington, saying economic dependence on Beijing already makes the challenge domestic rather than geopolitical. China’s use of supply chains and trade pressure shows neutrality cannot shield national economies. A crisis over Taiwan, he warns, would trigger a global economic shock far worse than the energy fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Governments must treat China policy as economic self-defence, not an abstract contest between superpowers.
Otherwise_Young52201 on
I see we’re back to posting “independent powers are making a mistake by not aligning with Washington” huh? As if somehow it’s Beijing’s fault that the Trump administration is forcing everyone to hedge their bets?
SenranHaruka on
It’s depressing just how much security the democratic world enjoyed to be picky with its partners because the largest economy on earth was a democracy and is now staring down a prospect of returning to the paradigm of necessary ballplaying with undemocratic states that dominated tons of unethical foreign policy ventures by otherwise free states in the early 19th century.
For all the fear that china would use its new economic power to assert its own hostile antidemocratic ambitions that only became possible when the Siliconbasket of Democracy would no longer protect them from such coercion.
Al_787 on
Sounds like an incoherent rant without proposing any solution, plus some hint of protectionist BS on top.
The very logic of European strategic autonomy is to better manage security and economic exposure to both Washington and Beijing. Charting Europe’s own path and capacities on these issues is the first step towards securing its true interests.
And somehow there is this notion among Western conservatives that the way to counter Chinese economic power through free trade is somehow to implement some sort of ISI. No you dumbasses, China has been able to manipulate the system of global trade to its benefit precisely because of Western withdrawal from it. The answer is more free trade and European integration to utilize the diverse economic environments within the bloc, not less.
oywiththepoodles96 on
Let’s have EU – Australia – Japan – Canada – Korea- India and Brazil ally against both Washington and China .
teethgrindingaches on
This emotionally charged ranting about your own impotence without proposing any sort of practical steps just makes you look pathetic as well as weak.
sinuhe_t on
Any such plan must start with federalization, or at least a new, tighter treaty. As of right now, our stance towards USA is a kid throwing a temper tantrum at his mum. This isn’t even a good negotiation tactic, because we are too deeply entrenched into American orbit to get out of it while being 27 separate countries and USA knows we are actually not able to do more than to stomp our feet while making a mean face.
7 Comments
Western neutrality between America and China is a “great-power delusion” that leaves countries exposed to coercion by the Chinese Communist Party, argues Luke de Pulford. He criticises leaders such as Emmanuel Macron for urging Europe not to become “vassals” of Washington, saying economic dependence on Beijing already makes the challenge domestic rather than geopolitical. China’s use of supply chains and trade pressure shows neutrality cannot shield national economies. A crisis over Taiwan, he warns, would trigger a global economic shock far worse than the energy fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Governments must treat China policy as economic self-defence, not an abstract contest between superpowers.
I see we’re back to posting “independent powers are making a mistake by not aligning with Washington” huh? As if somehow it’s Beijing’s fault that the Trump administration is forcing everyone to hedge their bets?
It’s depressing just how much security the democratic world enjoyed to be picky with its partners because the largest economy on earth was a democracy and is now staring down a prospect of returning to the paradigm of necessary ballplaying with undemocratic states that dominated tons of unethical foreign policy ventures by otherwise free states in the early 19th century.
For all the fear that china would use its new economic power to assert its own hostile antidemocratic ambitions that only became possible when the Siliconbasket of Democracy would no longer protect them from such coercion.
Sounds like an incoherent rant without proposing any solution, plus some hint of protectionist BS on top.
The very logic of European strategic autonomy is to better manage security and economic exposure to both Washington and Beijing. Charting Europe’s own path and capacities on these issues is the first step towards securing its true interests.
And somehow there is this notion among Western conservatives that the way to counter Chinese economic power through free trade is somehow to implement some sort of ISI. No you dumbasses, China has been able to manipulate the system of global trade to its benefit precisely because of Western withdrawal from it. The answer is more free trade and European integration to utilize the diverse economic environments within the bloc, not less.
Let’s have EU – Australia – Japan – Canada – Korea- India and Brazil ally against both Washington and China .
This emotionally charged ranting about your own impotence without proposing any sort of practical steps just makes you look pathetic as well as weak.
Any such plan must start with federalization, or at least a new, tighter treaty. As of right now, our stance towards USA is a kid throwing a temper tantrum at his mum. This isn’t even a good negotiation tactic, because we are too deeply entrenched into American orbit to get out of it while being 27 separate countries and USA knows we are actually not able to do more than to stomp our feet while making a mean face.