As the US-China split seems to intensify, each state within the European Union may soon have to face a difficult decision— Beijing or Washington?

Europe has been forced to strike out on its own, frequently dropping its deference to the United States. Now it awaits the outcome of the U.S. election. But even if Biden wins, the U.S. may not regain its position as the world’s center of gravity. The interests of China and Europe will steadily converge.

It’s too much to expect that Europe will wean itself from America’s security blanket anytime soon. But Trump has provided a wake-up call. European leaders seek strategic autonomy to escape the quagmire of great power competition.

It’s too much to expect that Europe will wean itself from America’s security blanket anytime soon. But Trump has provided a wake-up call. European leaders seek strategic autonomy to escape the quagmire of great power competition.

The European Union wants to forge stronger bonds with China because its members know what that means. As the world’s second-largest economy, and with its immense consumer market, China has a lot to offer.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in an era of seismic change that has strained relations. But if handled properly, it’s an opportunity to establish even stronger ties going forward.

U.S. President Donald Trump has forced a series of actions that have undermined the confidence of America’s allies. Media accounts are replete with evidence of a philosophical split.

Weak leadership is clearly undercutting America’s global standing: Few Europeans are looking to Washington anymore. COVID-19 has left a devastating economic and political scar already, and things are only going to get worse.

While the Eurozone is increasingly at risk of fracture, China benefits most from a unified Europe. China should be weary of European skepticism towards China’s aid during the COVID-19 crisis, especially as the EU debates its own internal dilemmas.

Populist forces increasingly make it hard for the EU to move forward. Now, the pandemic has triggered a new set of problems, impeding interaction between China and Europe.