Prof. ST Hsieh
Director, US-China Energy Industry Forum
626-376-7460
October 15, 2022
President Biden promised to restore US global leadership after four years of Trump’s isolationism approach. But Biden’s tough stance against China and Russia have not been productive. China, as of now, is not interested in a Biden-Xi summit at the G-20 meeting next month. China may see no reason to meet with a lame duck Biden after the US midterm election on November 8th. Xi might have looked at the US beyond Biden!
Furthermore, the Russia-Ukraine war is now into the 7th month with no end in sight. Russia is weakened by the war and the ensued sanctions led by the US. Ukraine is in a worse shape than Russia. There is no winner!
Unfortunately for Europe: Europeans are totally exhausted by a war that they are not in control because the US calls all the shots. European politicians blindly followed the US lead with inept sanctions against Russia energy right after the war broke out on February 24, 2022. The consequence is dire for Europeans: the unprecedented energy crisis will lead to a cold winter soon and years of recessions. Social unrest and political instabilities are expected this winter.
Even after the Russia-Ukraine war reached a cease fire, it will take decades to restore European economy. The Russia-Europe relation or balance has been completely destroyed by the war in Ukraine. The post Ukraine war Europe or NATO will have to deal with a wounded Russia forever.
No wonder German Chancellor is calling for “EU reforms and military autonomy.” It is going to take time, but the message is clear: the EU should not be an underdog to the US. German Chancellor is also scheduled to visit Xi in Beijing early next month. German also publicly announced that EU will not pursue decoupling from China.
German chancellor calls for EU reforms, military autonomy
Sat, October 15, 2022 at 5:53 AM
BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday called for reforms of the European Union to make it fit for the admission of new countries as well as more military autonomy of the 27-country bloc.
Speaking at the Congress of the Party of European Socialists in Berlin, Scholz advocated for gradually abolishing the principle of unanimity for decisions in foreign policy, but also in other areas such as tax policy.
“I know that we still have a lot of convincing to do there,” the chancellor said. “But I also say clearly: if a geopolitical Europe is our aspiration, then majority decisions are a gain and not a loss of sovereignty.”
Currently, many EU decisions can only be made if all countries vote unanimously.
Scholz also supports more military autonomy of the EU. He called for coordinated procurement of weapons and equipment, the establishment of an EU rapid reaction force by 2025, and a EU headquarters for European armed forces.
“In Europe, we need better interplay between our defense efforts,” he said. “In the future, Europe will need a coordinated increase in capabilities … we must confidently and jointly advance European defense.”