“The Competition is with China, not with Europe.” In the 21st century, national security and economic prosperity hinge on the ability to control critical connectivity flows—both physical (trade, energy, raw materials) and digital (data, semiconductors, cybersecurity). However, these essential flows are increasingly under threat from geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks, and supply chain disruptions, write HCSS director of research Tim Sweijs and strategic analyst Ron Stoop, in an article for the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA).
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has allowed Beijing to dominate Africa’s mineral reserves, build strategic infrastructure in South America, and control critical supply chains. Many Latin American nations, including Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, now trade more with China than with the US. Beijing has already used its leverage, imposing export restrictions on rare earth minerals, gallium, and germanium, directly impacting US and EU industries.
Despite shared concerns, the US and EU are failing to coordinate their responses. This division weakens their collective ability to secure supply chains, protect critical infrastructure, and counter China’s economic coercion.
To address these challenges, Sweijs and Stoop urge the US and EU to adopt a coordinated strategy, including:
1. Protect sea lines
2. Counter China in the Global South
3. Salvage the US-EU Trade and Technology Council
4. Deepen NATO cooperation
With rising geopolitical tensions, the US and EU must set aside trade disputes and work together to secure supply chains, protect digital infrastructure, and counter China’s strategic influence. The challenge is not with each other—the real competition is with China.
Read the full article here: CEPA, Recalibrating Connectivity to Compete Against China
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