![]() ![]() There is no consensus on what European defense means or should look like. This is the million-dollar question and the source of a lot of disagreement between member states. President Joe Biden, listens as he is joined virtually by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, speaks about a national security initiative in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. She added that despite many positive developments in understanding the importance of this region, “it is obvious that the EU must first become a security actor in the Indo-Pacific in order to be taken seriously by the partners in the Anglosphere.” “The fact that the US is willing to spend more political capital and invest in security and defense ties with the UK and Australia before reaching out to EU powers is quite revealing,” said Velina Tchakarova, director of the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy. The AUKUS deal has, in the eyes of some, undermined any real claim that Brussels had as an influential presence on the world stage. ![]() ![]() The EU’s strategy for handling China differs from the US in one major way: the EU actively seeks cooperation with China, and sees it as an economic and strategic partner.īrussels officials believe that by trading and working with China, not only can they lean on Beijing to reform their human rights and energy policies, but also use a good relationship with China to act as a buffer between Beijing and Washington, thus giving the EU a clear and important geopolitical role. “And we all know the results,” they added. A senior EU official told CNN that this was “English-speaking countries” who are “very belligerent” forming an alliance “against China.” The official noted that these were the same nations who took the lead in invading Afghanistan and Iraq. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordyn Diomede/US NavyĮither way, Brussels is feeling scarred. Sailors assigned to the Australian Collins-class submarine HMAS Sheean (SSG 77) prepare to receive hotel services and supplies during bilateral training event with USS Emory S. Officials in Brussels told CNN that the timing of the AUKUS announcement was viewed dimly, as the EU’s high representative on foreign affairs was set to deliver his own strategy for the Indo-Pacific on Thursday afternoon.Īt best, it was considered a bit rude at worst, it confirmed that, despite Brussels’ global ambitions, it is not taken seriously as a geopolitical player. Leaving aside France’s wounded pride, the new geopolitical pact between English-speaking maritime powers (known as AUKUS and pronounced “aw-kiss”) presents a strategic headscratcher for the EU. He also fired a shot at US President Joe Biden, saying that the sudden announcement of this deal without consulting other allies was a “brutal and unilateral decision” that “resembles a lot of what Mr. It also meant that the Australian government cancelled a multi-billion contract for non-nuclear submarines with a French manufacturer.įrench Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described this as a “real stab in the back” from Australia. ![]() The deal, which was unveiled on Wednesday, will see the US and UK send strategic and technical teams to Australia to help the country procure nuclear-powered submarines. In Europe, it left the French government furious and European Union officials somewhat confused as to what the bloc should do about China. The surprise announcement that the United States, United Kingdom and Australia have agreed a defense pact that will go some way toward countering China in the Indo-Pacific region sparked an array of emotions. ![]()
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