Managing China’s Rise: A Strategic Imperative for U.S.-Europe Cooperation in the Global Commons

China’s remarkable rise in economic, political, and military power had the potential to significantly challenge some of the fundamental tenants of international order. The United States had pursued a strategy of engagement and hedging, which had created a relationship that included elements of cooperation as well as competition with China. Yet security issues, and the strategic implications of China’s rise, had not yet become regular elements of Europe’s China strategy. The global commons (the high seas, air, space, and cyberspace) offered an excellent opportunity for the United States and Europe to bring a strategic element to efforts to manage China’s rise.