Should Europe side with the U.S. on China?
Listen to a debate between four Europe-based China experts
BONUS EPISODE
As relations between China and the U.S. continue to deteriorate, the debate over Europe's positioning in the conflict has intensified. In a 2019 European Union strategy paper, China was labeled a "partner, economic competitor, and systemic rival" – a significant departure from a decades-long approach that prioritized closer trade and investment ties. In the spring of 2023, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a "de-risking" (though not a decoupling) from China. Some European leaders, however, continue to shy away from an approach that would reduce economic and technological engagement between Europe and China. French President Emmanuel Macron, for example, has warned against blindly following Washington down a path of economic containment or isolation of China.
In this bonus episode of STATE OF ASIA, listen to four experts debate whether Europe should side with the U.S. on China, or carve out its own path in the relationship with Beijing. They participated in an Oxford Debate in front of a live audience in Zurich on June 26, 2023, organised by Asia Society Switzerland. Presenting clear-cut, time-constrained, well-thought-out arguments are:
- Noah Barkin, Senior Advisor in Rhodium Group's China practice, based in Berlin, Germany.
- Philippe Le Corre, Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's Center for China Analysis, based in Paris, France.
- Simona Grano, Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies and Director of the Taiwan Studies Project at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.
- Marina Rudyak, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Chinese Studies at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Watch the entire debate here, and learn more about the speakers, on our website.
Our Oxford Debate series offers insights into complex issues, presented in short and clear arguments. Find all the debates here.
STATE OF ASIA podcast
Season 4, bonus episode 2 – published June 27, 2023.
Host/Producer: Remko Tanis, Programs and Editorial Manager, Asia Society Switzerland
Find previous and future episodes here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or search for 'State of Asia' in any other podcast app. We're also on YouTube.
