All articles tagged with #strategic autonomy
China used Mark Carney's Beijing visit to urge Canada to pursue 'strategic autonomy' from the United States and reduce reliance on Washington, hoping to loosen ties amid tariff tensions; Canada seeks to diversify its trade, but experts say the U.S.–Canada economic bond is deep, so any shift will be limited, with talks likely advancing trade without erasing tariffs.
As Carney visits China, Beijing urges Canada to adopt strategic autonomy from the United States, signaling a potential shift in relations as Ottawa pursues trade diversification amid U.S. tariffs; experts caution real moves are limited by deep Canada-U.S. ties, with only cautious progress expected.
The article discusses India's evolving stance on Russian oil amidst US pressure, highlighting the broader geopolitical tensions involving the US, China, and Russia, and emphasizing India's need to maintain strategic autonomy despite external pressures and internal divisions.
The European Commission announced a €1 billion plan to boost AI adoption in critical sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and energy, aiming to reduce reliance on U.S. and Chinese technologies and promote strategic autonomy in Europe.
The European Commission has signed a €180 million deal with SpaceX to launch its satellites into orbit due to delays in Europe's own rocket program, Ariane 6. The Commission had originally planned to launch the satellites with Russia's Soyuz rocket system, but the conflict in Ukraine scuttled that option. The launches are tentatively scheduled for April and July, with each one carrying two Galileo geo-navigation satellites. However, before the SpaceX launch dates can be confirmed, the EU needs to negotiate a security deal with the US to ensure access to the satellites and technology in case of failure.
A new report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) shows that 74% of Europeans believe the Continent should cut its military dependence on the US and invest in its own defensive capabilities. The report, based on a poll with 16,168 respondents from 11 countries, also shows that majorities in every surveyed country want Europe to remain neutral in any conflict between the US and China over Taiwan. The report highlights that Europeans want to see the EU become more self-reliant in foreign policy and build up its own defensive capabilities.
The EU's €1bn initiative to buy ammunition for Ukraine has been delayed due to a dispute over the "Made in Europe" label, which requires the ammunition to be bought only from defence companies based in the EU. France is reportedly asking for the supply chain of ammunition production to be entirely European, including the sourcing of key components needed to build the artillery shells, while other member states are making the case for pragmatism to deliver artillery shells to Ukraine as fast as possible. The debate will be passed on to foreign affairs ministers if a resolution is not reached over the weekend.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has warned that China's plan to divide and conquer European Union countries is already "in action." She urged member states to come up with a new, unified strategy on China, one that avoids divide and conquer tactics. Von der Leyen underlined the EU's commitment to the One China policy but insisted on the need to preserve "peace and stability" in the Taiwan Strait. She proposed "de-risking" certain aspects of EU-China relations and developing a new instrument to supervise outbound investment in sensitive technologies.
European leaders and diplomats have been visiting China seeking help from President Xi Jinping to end the war in Ukraine, fearing that he might supply weapons to Russia. The EU is also concerned about a military escalation in the Taiwan Strait and wants to reassure Xi of respect for Beijing's control over all of Chinese territory and to urge calm. The visits are meant to secure Xi's commitment to peace, keep trade flowing fairly, and reduce Europe's reliance on China for critical resources. The EU's strategy on China remains much as it was enshrined in 2019 - that the Asian giant is "a partner, a competitor and systemic rival."
European leaders and diplomats have been visiting China seeking help from President Xi Jinping to end the war in Ukraine and to urge calm in the Taiwan Strait. The EU is also concerned about China's expansionist policies and wants to level the business playing field. However, the EU's trade deficit with China has more than tripled over the past decade, and it wants to limit its imports of critical resources from China. The visits are meant to secure Xi's commitment to peace, keep trade flowing fairly, and reduce Europe's reliance on China for critical resources.
French President Emmanuel Macron has reiterated his vision for a sovereign Europe, focusing on the economic side of the strategic autonomy concept. Macron's model of economic sovereignty is based on the five pillars of competitiveness, industrial policy, protection of markets, reciprocity in trade relations, and cooperation. However, experts question whether his ideas can be implemented, given the EU's existing dependencies on China for green transition and the US for security. Additionally, there is no consensus on an EU worldview, which could further divide its members.
European leaders are increasingly supportive of French President Emmanuel Macron's push for "strategic autonomy" away from the United States, according to European Council boss Charles Michel. Michel said that while there may be nuances and sensitivities around the table of the European Council, quite a few leaders think like Macron. Michel also defended his use of private jets and growing budget for international trips, saying it was necessary for the EU to engage more with the rest of the world.
French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on Europe's role in the US-China conflict over Taiwan have sparked criticism and anger on both sides of the Atlantic. Macron said Europe should not become a "vassal" and must avoid being drawn into any conflict between the US and China over Taiwan. While his comments reaffirmed his long-term goal of "strategic autonomy" for Europe, his remarks on Taiwan stoked anger and alarm. Macron's interview was seen as a parting gift to Xi and an attempt to boost his poll ratings in France by emulating De Gaulle.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Singapore and Malaysia to work together to resist bloc conflict and focus on regional development and strategic autonomy in separate talks with their leaders. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned of "unpredictable and serious consequences" in comparing Ukraine and Taiwan.