By Cui Hongjian
As China and the European Union mark 50 years of formal diplomatic ties, Europe finds itself in a period of turmoil not seen since the end of the Cold War. The rapidly shifting international environment—especially the betrayal and damage from traditional allies—is pushing Europe into an uncertain future.
With American politics now entering a “Trump 2.0” era, the transatlantic relationship forged after World War II is undergoing profound, long-term, and irreversible change. The so-called "transatlantic partnership" will not return to its former state.
Recognizing the growing trend toward a multipolar world, Europe must reassess its international surroundings, rethink its traditional alliances, and reposition its partnerships based on opposition to unilateralism and a renewed commitment to multilateralism.
In this process, China—with its consistent and coherent foreign policy and shared support for multilateralism—can become a reliable partner for Europe as it charts a new path forward.
Challenging the “Rules-Based Order”: A Shift Beyond Trump’s Whim
The so-called consensus on upholding a “rules-based order” once formed the cornerstone of the U.S.-Europe alliance. It also served as the justification for Western countries to exert diplomatic and security pressure on non-Western nations, often labeled as “challengers”.
However, even during Trump’s first term, this consensus faced major setbacks. Therefore, during the following Biden’s term, Europe tried to emphasize “rules-based order” rhetoric to counteract Trump’s legacy and steady the alliance. Yet with Trump's return to power, the U.S. is once again dramatically overhauling its political, economic, and security policies—this time irreversibly undermining the “rules-based order” from within the West itself.
Europe, having once partnered with the U.S. to defend this order, is now bearing the brunt of its collapse.
Economically, Europe has not been spared from Trump’s unilateral tariffs, despite its status as an economic ally and major trading partner. In terms of security, the U.S. has abandoned its unified stance with Europe on Ukraine, sidelined Europe in favor of improving relations with Russia (which Europe views as a major security threat), and has even hinted at threatening force and weakening NATO—an institution critical to European security.
Of all the harms inflicted by Trump, the disruption in political values might be the most profound. The U.S. government’s overt support for far-right parties has deeply wounded Europe. The once-vaunted “alliance of shared values” has crumbled under the weight of "America First" priorities.
Perhaps most unsettling for Europe is the realization that these shifts are not simply the result of Trump’s personality or Republican policy shifts. The fact that Trump regained power with broad popular support—and that even under Biden, the U.S. continued to erode common rules—shows a deeper reality: As long as America prioritizes its hegemonic ambitions, the “rules-based order” will merely serve as a facade for power politics, with Europe reduced to a tool for preserving U.S. dominance.
If Europe fails to reckon seriously with this, and to pursue true strategic autonomy, it risks becoming little more than a pawn in America's renewed hegemonic system.
America’s New Direction: Europe’s Interests on the Line
The fundamental shifts taking place in the transatlantic relationship are not just eroding Europe's space for survival and growth—they are also damaging global values and undermining the shared interests of China, Europe, and most members of the international community.
Economically, U.S. policy now centers on imposing unilateral tariffs worldwide to boost domestic revenues, allow for tax cuts, push for so-called “reindustrialization,” and attract international capital. The result? Higher economic costs for other nations, the siphoning of global wealth to the U.S., the dismantling of WTO-centered multilateral trade frameworks, and the rise of a "new order" characterized by U.S.-controlled bilateral negotiations.
In diplomacy and security, the U.S. seeks to quickly offload the burdens of the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts by finding scapegoats and shifting blame to others. In this way, what Trump truly aspires to is to reallocate resources toward domestic concerns and his long-term strategic objectives. This policy sacrifices the interests of its allies and raises the risks of major power confrontation worldwide.
As the world's sole superpower, America's actions have severely destabilized the international order and threaten the sustainability of global cooperation. This irreparable damage poses a direct, long-term threat to both Europe and China, which have benefited from global stability and international division of labor.
Europe at the Crossroad: Building New Partnerships to Brave the Storm
Europe now stands at a critical crossroad. It has two choices: Continue clinging to outdated alliances, maintaining a Western-centric, U.S.-led order, and risk becoming a pawn in a new American hegemonic system; or boldly innovate, pursue strategic autonomy, and become a constructive force in a new multipolar world order.
Europe has already shown its desire for independence: politically opposing U.S. unilateralism, economically enacting counter-tariffs, and launching security initiatives like “rearmament” plans.
However, the real emancipation lies in the transformation of mentality: adopting global values rooted in fairness, openness, and inclusiveness. It should seek out equal, sincere, and reliable partners worldwide, and act based on principled, responsible, and efficient multilateralism, freeing Europe from a Western-centric and ally-dependent worldview.
China-Europe Relations: Europe's Trusted Partnership Amid Turbulence
The 50-year history of China-EU relations proves that both sides are constructive forces for peace and development. Mutual respect, dialogue, and pragmatic cooperation can become key pillars for Europe to navigate future uncertainties.
Under growing protectionism, China and Europe have built deep and resilient economic ties that unilateral measures cannot easily sever. They are safeguarding their mutual interests through forceful actions: reopen negotiations on EV issues and expand cooperation into new areas.
As a matter of fact, China and Europe together cover 87% of the global market, excluding the U.S.. By maintaining coordination in trade, manufacturing, renewable energy, and services, they can not only withstand American pressure but also unlock new growth opportunities.
Despite differences in historical experiences and geopolitical environments, China and Europe share a foundational commitment to multilateralism, which offers hope for managing geopolitical conflicts and building strategic trust.
On key global security issues—from the Ukraine crisis and Gaza conflict to refugee crises and climate security—China has consistently adopted a fair, open, and principled stance. China welcomes all peace efforts, emphasizes the legitimacy and sustainability of conflict resolution processes, and supports Europe's rightful role in political solutions, especially regarding Ukraine.
Decades of accumulated experience in managing competition and enhancing cooperation has given China-EU relations unmatched resilience and adaptability, providing a powerful driving force for enhancing mutual development and creation of new opportunities amid global turbulence.
Both sides prioritize openness, development, and reform—and these shared goals can be translated into concrete joint actions, offering a model of successful cooperation in a turbulent world.
This article was originally published in Chinese at cnfocus.com
Cui Hongjian is a professor at Country and Area Studies Academy, Beijing Foreign Studies University, where he researches Sino-European relations. The views don't necessarily reflect those of BeijingReviewDossier.
