European Union, global economic power, geopolitical influence, Ukraine war, strategic autonomy, EU foreign policy, global powers, US China Russia
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Abstract
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Abstract
The EU's economic power is contrasted with its geopolitical fragility as it navigates the challenges posed by the Ukraine war and the rise of other global powers.
Extract
[...] The lack of an autonomous military force is another weak point. Although the EU has established defense cooperation structures, such as the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), it remains materially unable to deploy a coordinated military force that brings together the soldiers of the various member states. This lack of true strategic autonomy limits credibility and rapid response to geopolitical developments. Notwithstanding this, other major powers are also facing difficulties. The United States shows signs of isolationism under the presidency of D. [...]
[...] The EU model, focused on multilateralism and global governance, has marked its action within the United Nations and at major international climate conferences. In the field of human rights, the EU maintains continuous pressure on its partners to respect certain norms. This ability to impose its norms and wield its economic weight is further illustrated in its actions towards Russia. In response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, the EU took economic sanctions measures that profoundly affected the Russian economy, particularly in the financial and energy sectors. [...]
[...] Firstly, the EU has developed strong dependencies in certain sectors, and it is particularly lagging in key technological areas. It is certainly present in sectors such as biotechnology or digital market regulation, but it still depends heavily on the United States and China for cloud computing, AI, and semiconductors (approximately 80% of semiconductors are manufactured in Asia, which leads to a strong technological dependence).5. On the energy front, the EU remains dependent on imports and vulnerable to the geopolitical fluctuations of its suppliers, despite efforts to diversify its sources. [...]
[...] The EU has made difficult efforts to diversify its energy sources, particularly through the transition to renewable energies.9. Initiatives have also been launched to strengthen European sovereignty in key technological sectors, and it is within this framework that E. Macron's impulse to give during the February AI Summit is inscribed. Finally, by defending Ukraine and its democratic values, the EU asserts itself as a liberal and democratic power, capable of countering the anti-democratic regimes embodied by Russia, China, and increasingly, the United States. [...]
[...] Thus, although the EU plays a major economic role on the world stage, its geopolitical decline is increasingly felt. The unprecedented situation caused by the return of war to its borders and the acceleration of tensions related to the election of D. Trump, could however trigger the European click necessary to realize itself as a great power. III) The future of Europe in the face of global powers: a decisive turning point with the war in Ukraine The war in Ukraine exacerbates the challenges of the EU and raises the question of its future as a strategic actor. [...]
