Invitation for a transatlantic webinar

Why the cold war paradigm is false and what binds the USA and the EU on China

Organized by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington DC, and
the Schar School of Policy and Government of George Mason University

Monday, July 6, 2020 from 9:00 am – 10:00 am (EDT)  I  15:00 – 16:00 (CET)

Register here

Relations with China are strategically important for the European Union. Apart from the obvious economic dimension, they offer mutual benefits and dialogue in a wide-ranging number of areas such as the fight against climate change, environmental protection and a stable global economy. Fundamental divergences such as on state intervention and human rights make this relationship complex and multifaceted.

Cooperation with its main ally, the United States, is vital for the EU. As the biggest economic and trade powers in the world, the transatlantic partners dominate global trade, share common norms and values and face common challenges. EU-US dialogue and cooperation is currently being tested with unilateral decisions by the US administration often leaving European partners feeling dragged into sustained big-power zero-sum games.

EU-China relations are increasingly affected by the ever-increasing Sino-United States tensions and their establishment as the main axis of global politics. These tensions grew to new levels with the Covid19 pandemic and the ensuing disinformation campaigns against Western democracies.

The Trump Administration considers China a strategic competitor to confront, rather than a country with which to engage. The EU, while defining China as a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival, and despite persistent and considerable differences in some areas, continues to put emphasis on engagement and cooperation.

Can the US and Europe maintain strategic cohesion while moving in different directions on China? What are the issues on China which connect the two sides of the Atlantic based on common interests and shared values and what drives them apart? 

Speakers:

Reinhard Bütikofer, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with China;

Ellen Laipson, Professor, International Security Program Manager, Director for the Center of Security Policy Studies at Schar School of Policy and Government (GMU); and

Ming Wan, Professor, Associate Dean Schar School Program Faculties at Schar School of Policy and Government (GMU).

Introduction by:

Mark J. Rozell, Dean, Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.

Moderated by:

Joseph Dunne, Director, European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington DC.

For more information email: ryan.meilak@europarl.europa.eu