A presence farther east: can Europe play a strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region?

Europe has important trade relations with countries in East Asia, but increasing regional tensions, especially maritime and territorial disputes between China and its neighbours, put essential European economic and security interests at risk. In spite of serious challenges in Europe’s immediate neighbourhood, the EU and its member-states cannot be strategically ambivalent about Asia. China’s rise and the eastward shift of economic and political power is structural; a strategic approach to the region is needed. Business as usual in Asia, where Europe prioritises commercial diplomacy and relies on bland statements of concern in response to security events, no longer suffices. Europe’s economic interests dictate a stronger approach; the importance of the transatlantic relationship warrants it; and its Asian partners demand it. Asia’s evolving power politics will lead countries to gradually lose patience with Europe’s tactical, and commercially-inspired, neutrality, possibly impacting the trade ties Europe so hopes to preserve. Europe will also be increasingly at risk of being picked apart by its Asian partners.