EU pushes for ‘independence’ from China and US – but can it get there?
European leaders have called for greater self-reliance, but some in Brussels warn that it must overcome a credibility gap to do so
Sandwiched between two uncompromising superpowers, a growing number of leaders are pushing for the EU to become a more self-reliant force. They want the bloc to free itself from dangerous dependencies on the US for defence and technology, on China for raw materials and cleantech goods, and on Russia for energy.
“A new international order will emerge in this decade,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last week.
“If we do not want to simply accept the consequences this will have for Europe and the world, we must shape this new order. History does not forgive either dithering or delaying. Our mission is European independence.”
French President Emmanuel Macron – the biggest champion of strategic autonomy – agreed.