Biden win could restore US-EU partnership for coordinated approach to China
- Policy differences remain between Washington and Brussels but diplomats see more chance of unity after Trump
- Beijing is responding with growing urgency to possible rebalancing of geopolitical relationships
As voters in the United States prepare for the presidential election in November, the South China Morning Post is exploring the potential ramifications for China. The latest part of the US election series looks at what a Biden presidency could mean for relations with the European Union.
When the European Union’s 27 leaders gather in Berlin to discuss one single subject – China – on November 16, some decisions will be out of their – and the Chinese government’s – hands.
Rather, the EU meeting comes less than two weeks after the US presidential election, the result of which will be pivotal not only to US-China ties, but also future EU-China relations.
If Donald Trump wins, the general consensus in the EU is that it should prepare for another four years of anti-European rhetoric from the White House, leaving transatlantic ties in the worst shape since the end of the Cold War.
The bloc will be more or less isolated in the ongoing US-China rivalry and forced to seek a closer working relationship with China, wherever possible.
On the other hand, a victory by the Democratic Party challenger, Joe Biden, would open the possibility of a joint US-EU partnership to deal with the issue of China, according to former diplomats, analysts and campaign advisers interviewed by the South China Morning Post.
