Europe and America have historically had different approaches towards China. While the US has often taken a more confrontational stance towards Beijing, Europe has tended to prioritize diplomacy and economic engagement with China. This divide has become more pronounced in recent years as China’s global influence has grown and tensions have escalated between China and the West. It is unlikely that this divergence in approach will disappear anytime soon, as the two sides have fundamentally different priorities and interests when it comes to China.
The US and Europe have different historical and cultural ties to China. The US has a long-standing rivalry with China dating back to the Cold War and sees China as a strategic competitor. In contrast, Europe has a more complicated relationship with China, shaped by both cooperation and competition. European countries have been eager to trade with China and have been receptive to Chinese investment, particularly in infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative. However, there are also growing concerns in Europe over China’s human rights record, and some countries have become more vocal in their criticism of Beijing.
Another factor that influences the different attitudes towards China is the economic relationship between the countries. The US and Europe both have significant trade ties with China, but the nature of these ties is different. The US imports more goods from China than it exports, which has led to concerns about the impact on American jobs and the trade deficit. In contrast, Europe is more focused on exporting to China, which has made it more hesitant to criticize Beijing’s economic policies.
The different priorities and interests of the US and Europe have also led to different policy responses towards China. The US has taken a more confrontational approach towards China, particularly under the Trump administration, which implemented tariffs and sanctions on Chinese goods and companies. The Biden administration has taken a more multilateral approach, working with allies like Japan and Australia to push back against China’s economic and military expansion. In contrast, Europe has been more cautious about taking a confrontational stance towards China, preferring to engage with Beijing through diplomatic channels.
Ultimately, the different approaches of the US and Europe towards China are unlikely to converge anytime soon. The two sides have different priorities and interests, and their historical and cultural ties to China are also different. However, both the US and Europe recognize the need to engage with China on some level, given its growing economic and military power. The challenge for policymakers in both regions will be to strike the right balance between cooperation and competition with China, while also addressing concerns over human rights and security issues.
