Between Washington and Beijing: The EU’s strategic dilemma

Exploring Europe’s place in a shifting global order.

As geopolitical tensions rise and trade disputes return to the forefront — most recently with Donald Trump’s tariff plans — the European Union finds itself increasingly squeezed between two global giants: the United States and China. As the EU is looking for the right distance, its strategic ambiguity may no longer stand. Is Europe ready to redefine its global role, or is it simply reacting to external offensives?

This conversation brings together Europe–China specialist Alain Sepulchre and international affairs expert Bart Szewczyk. Moderated by Politico’s Nick Vinocur, the discussion will explore the EU’s shifting position in a world where transatlantic relations are increasingly uncertain and the EU–China dynamic remains cautious.

They will examine whether the EU can move towards more independent foreign, economic and business policies, what a potential Sino–European rapprochement would involve, and whether it aligns with Europe’s core values.

speaker

Alain Sepulchre, Belgian born and educated, is a Europe-China specialist for over 35 years. In his numerous senior positions at TotalEnergies and McKinsey among others he has been managing and advising multiple corporations, foundations, and funds in formulating & developing their China footprints. He speaks, reads and writes Mandarin. He is the co-author of China’s offensive in Europe (Brookings 2016) and a visiting instructor at HKUST and Solvay Brussels School.

speaker

Bart Szewczyk is a European and global public policy advisor with experience in senior U.S. government roles. He teaches grand strategy at Sciences Po and is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund. He recently advised on global affairs at the European Commission’s think-tank and previously served on Secretary John Kerry’s Policy Planning Staff and as Senior Policy Advisor to U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power. He has also worked with the World Bank and Rasmussen Global. Earlier, Bart was a research scholar at Columbia Law School, taught at George Washington University, and was a visiting fellow at the EU Institute for Security Studies. He clerked at the International Court of Justice and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

moderator

Nick Vinocur is based in Brussels and is POLITICO’s Editor at Large. He is also one of the authors of Brussels Playbook. Previously, he oversaw the publication’s policy output and agenda-setting Pro teams after heading POLITICO’s technology coverage in Europe, coordinating a team of journalists breaking news and explain the politics and policy behind the great technological transformations of our day. Educated in France and in the United States, Nick brings both a European and a transatlantic perspective to his work, and is passionate about the role of journalism in protecting and promoting democratic values.

Between Washington and Beijing: The EU’s strategic dilemma

Alain Sepulchre

Bart Szewczyk

Nicholas Vinocur

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Between Washington and Beijing: The EU’s strategic dilemma

Alain Sepulchre

Bart Szewczyk

Nicholas Vinocur

Become a member

Reach us

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