George Canning, who presided over the British foreign policy in the early nineteenth century, once famously said, “Europe's domain extends to the shores of the Atlantic, England’s begins there.”

As the world watches the conflict in Ukraine unfold, observers have quickly drawn up comparisons to China in relation to security and expansionist ideals. A careful examination of the decades leading up to the current fiasco is needed to show the truth of how we arrived where we are today.

Europe is working out its own path in light of China-U.S. tensions. It will only cooperate with the U.S. on China where it suits its own politics and interests and with its own approaches and tools.

Many Europeans feel that President Biden’s focus on Asia is once again leaving the EU in the periphery. Europe will likely need to re-evaluate their foreign policy goals to make up for the shift.

When the leaders of Europe and China speak, there will be an understanding that each side is navigating the U.S.’s opposition to the latter’s agenda.

How should China deal with Europe? The answer is becoming increasingly complex. Changes in approach are necessitated by Europe’s effort to redefine its role as a mere international trade actor. It seeks to become a major geopolitical power in its own right, independent of the United States.

Europe is not interested in confronting China. While the European Union and United States agree on the strategic challenge presented by China’s growing assertiveness, they do not always agree on the best way to address it.

EU member nations have become increasingly aware of Chinese influence in the Eastern European region, which calls for a reorienting of their strategy in the Balkans.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s general narrative of “democracy against autocracy” will not be accepted wholesale. Europe wants to avoid being dragged by the United States into a costly new cold war that’s driven by strategic autonomy.

Europe recently failed to ratify the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), signaling hesitations in its trade relationship with Beijing. Instead Europe aligned itself with Washington’s efforts to counter China’s global influence.