The traditional Western world alignment between the U.S. and Europe has been strained by four years of tumultuous foreign policy. Now, the gravity of China’s rise threatens to drive a larger wedge between the two regions.

European foreign policy often mirrors Washington’s global ambitions. As China’s economic influence strengthens, the Biden administration must consider a new foreign policy to unite the United States and its European partners.

The new U.S. president is relying is his political memory as he approaches relations with Europe. But the world no longer matches the memories. He will face significant new hurdles. Donald Trump made structural changes that will not be easy to undo.

While the European Union and United States share many intertwined interests, Trump has undermined the relationship. So, it will be difficult for the transatlantic alliance to go back to what it was, even with Biden as U.S. president.

There is good reason to believe that patching up relations in an estranged Europe will be a top priority for the incoming administration of Joe Biden. China needs to adapt intelligently, as the United States is likely to keep the pressure on.

The nations of the ‘European Rim’ face a tough decision in the midst of a post-COVID US-China decoupling – to look east or west for investment and development opportunities? Regardless of the investment sources, the European Rim must prioritize middle class-oriented growth to pursue full employment and economic stability.

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?

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.

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.