Europe must set its course on China and not, as French President Macron has said, blindly follow the United States. That’s what Han ten Broeke, a former VVD MP and director of political affairs at the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague, says in BNR’s De Wereld. “We’re wrong about the extent to which Americans are willing to turn the thumbscrews on allies.”
According to Ten Broeke, we are naïve “to the extent that we think we can reconcile ourselves to American interests. They are now fierce in their opposition to China. They’re on a collision course and we can’t afford it.’ Ten Broeke supports a European alternative, but remains critical of Macron.
Macron returned from Beijing with a delegation from the French business community and all kinds of lucrative contracts for Airbus and then said on behalf of Europe that Europe has nothing to do with Taiwan. If so, Ten Broeke understands the Americans who say that Europe itself should take responsibility for Ukraine. “Taiwan is really our problem, contrary to what Macron says.” Ten Broeke points out that if Taiwan is effectively blocked by China, Europe will suffer greatly because crucial trade chains will come to a halt.
Taiwan is our problem
According to Ten Broeke, there is no simple answer to the question of how Europe can best position itself in this American-European-Chinese tension field. He knows, however, that an answer is made up of at least two components: a military one and an economic one.
Brussels
According to Ten Broeke, the economic component must come from Brussels and the first steps have already been taken there: the Net Zero Act and the Critical Materials Act. Ten Broeke argues that Europe should try to achieve this strategic autonomy by doubling its efforts. “But then we have to accept that we’re going to mine our raw materials,” because “we go completely wrong a number of times in the whole chain.” ‘We must abandon this destructive economic attitude.’
In the military field, it is important that Europe has a European leg within NATO. Europe must also be ready to contribute in the Taiwan Sea. “And Macron’s statements don’t help with that.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
