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Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa
Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa is a geopolitics analyst with a specialisation in EU-Asia relations, who serves as a consultant for public- and private-sector organisations, in particular think tanks. His consultancy work spans a spectrum of geopolitical and policy areas, encompassing impact analysis and strategic advice. His expertise covers Sino-European relations, geopolitics, great power competition, and critical raw materials. Furthermore, Sebastian possesses extensive regional expertise in EU law and institutions. He is an AsiaGlobal Fellow at the University of Hong Kong.
Sebastian Contin Trillo-Figueroa is a geopolitics analyst with a specialisation in EU-Asia relations, who serves as a consultant for public- and private-sector organisations, in particular think tanks. His consultancy work spans a spectrum of geopolitical and policy areas, encompassing impact analysis and strategic advice. His expertise covers Sino-European relations, geopolitics, great power competition, and critical raw materials. Furthermore, Sebastian possesses extensive regional expertise in EU law and institutions. He is an AsiaGlobal Fellow at the University of Hong Kong.
Languages Spoken:
English
The EU must move quickly to engage with China based on European interests instead of defaulting to American positions.
A US pullback from Europe, Nato and Asia means less pressure and more room for China to attain its trade and security goals.
Spain has tried to assuage China’s concerns and worked to repeal European tariffs, but it faces a tall task and deep scepticism.
Despite more assertive depictions of China, the US has not got Nato to see China as a security threat. This suggests European divergence
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A coalition government and closer ties with the West suggest a more cautious approach. Will Modi choose greater rivalry or cooperation with China?
Punitive US tariffs are driving more Chinese goods into the EU, making its task of safeguarding competition and economic security harder when weighed against the geopolitical realities.
Prioritising ‘strategic autonomy’ will let Europe engage with China on its own terms and avoid being held hostage to fluctuations in American leadership. Internal divisions within Europe, budget constraints and geopolitical challenges must be overcome to realise a new path forward.
Trump is likely to escalate hostilities against China and the EU, with higher tariffs and a possible US exit from Nato. To prepare, Beijing and Brussels must start tackling their geopolitical, security and trade differences.
The EU’s latest economic security initiatives will be difficult to implement, messy to roll out and chilling in their effect on trade and investment. Meanwhile, the US will achieve its geopolitical objective of hindering China’s industrial progress.
The recent EU-China summit in Beijing is part of efforts to keep the bilateral relationship from degrading further into conflict and discord. Brussels must adjust its approach to China and focus on addressing actual harms rather than perceived ones that damage its image and legal standing.
China-EU relations stand at a crossroads. This year has brought a revival of bilateral engagement, but the potential for conflict arising from divergent security perspectives is likely to endure, testing the overall relationship.
