New Challenges and Opportunities in European-Asian Relations : Navigating an Assertive China and a Retrenching U.S.

This book highlights the emerging bidirectional interactions between Europe―primarily the EU―and Asia in the fields of political economy, development, environmental policy, security, diplomacy, and inter-institutional relations within the context of two recent global trends: the rise of China and the growing withdrawal of the U.S. from multilateral commitments. The volume incorporates nine different aspects and dimensions of Asian-European relations. In recent decades, Asia has (re-)gained rising importance on the world stage, which also entails closer interconnections with Europe. In an age of receding American global leadership and reduced commitments to its European allies, the EU and its member states have increasingly become more open to seeking and considering new partnerships. The rising economic prowess of Asia has made it of particular interest for European states. The book’s focus lies on potential challenges and opportunities in the bidirectional interactions between European and Asian states and institutions. Acknowledgments 6 Contents 7 Notes on Contributors 9 Abbreviations 12 List of Tables 16 Part I The Rise of European-Asian Relations 17 1 Introduction 18 Historical Background 21 Literature Review 23 Key Questions Regarding European–Asian Interactions 25 Chapter Preview 25 References 30 Part II Europe & East Asia 32 2 The EU as Pivotal Player in the Growing China–U.S. Conflict 33 Introduction 33 A Dangerous New Context: Global Order Disrupted and U.S.–China Confrontation 37 Three Great Dilemmas for the EU 41 The European Dilemma with Trump’s America: Turning Against the Rules–Based International Order 41 The European Dilemma with China’s Approach to the Liberal International Order 44 Dealing with the U.S.–China Confrontation 46 2009–2018: Partial Strategic Rapprochement and Global Governance Cooperation 48 The March 12, 2019—EU Strategic Communication on China and Partial Hardening 50 COVID-19 and the Hong Kong Issue in 2020 52 Conclusion 53 References 55 3 Making Sense of the EU–China Relations: Partners and Rivals 60 Introduction 60 Literature Review 62 An Overview of EU–China Bilateral Relations (1990–2020): From Strange Neighbors, Economic Partner, Competitor to Systemic Rival? 64 Case Study Analysis 68 Global Climate Talk: Cooperation and a De Facto Co-Leadership in the UNFCCC 69 AIIB: Negotiated Engagement 73 BRI: Growing Skepticism 77 What Accounted for the Wide Variations of the EU Responses toward Climate Change, AIIB and BRI? 83 Conclusion 85 References 87 4 Korean, Japanese, and Chinese Free Trade Agreements with European States in an Age of U.S. Protectionism 95 Introduction 95 China and Europe3 97 China–Iceland 99 China–Switzerland 101 China–Norway 102 China–EU 103 Japan and Europe 104 Japan–Switzerland 105 Japan–EU 105 South Korea and Europe 108 Korea–EFTA 108 Korea–EU 109 Conclusion 110 References 112 Part III Europe & Southeast Asia 119 5 The ASEAN–EU Relations and the ASEAN Regional Integration 120 Introduction 120 Tracing the Relationship Between ASEAN and the EU 121 Analyzing the Depth and Width of the Cooperation between ASEAN and the EU 124 Opportunities for ASEAN Integration with the Support from the EU 126 China as Another Propelling Actor for ASEAN Integration 130 Challenges of ASEAN Integration with Regard to the EU 132 The ASEAN Community Today 136 Conclusion 137 References 138 6 An Analysis of EU Free Trade Agreements and Negotiations with Southeast Asian Countries 143 Introduction 143 EU Trade Agreements with Select Southeast Asian Countries 145 The EU and Singapore 145 The EU–Vietnam 148 The EU–Indonesia 149 The EU–Thailand 151 Conclusion 153 References 154 7 EU–Southeast Asian Relations: What Lies Ahead? 159 Introduction 159 Recent Changes in the International Order 160 ASEAN Members’ Responses to a Changed International Environment 162 A More Assertive Europe in Southeast Asia2 167 Conclusion 174 References 175 Part IV Europe & South and Central Asia 180 8 EU–India Relations and New Political Realities: Normative Convergence and Its Implications for Shared Strategic Concerns 181 Introduction 181 Historical Background of EU–India Relations 183 Norms Convergence: Democratic Ideals and New Political Realities 185 Rise of China and Its Implications for EU–India Relations 187 The Rise of the BJP in India: Withering of Norms Convergence? 189 The U.S. Under the Trump Administration: Changing Directions in EU–India Relations? 191 Conclusion 193 References 194 9 The European Union’s Impact in South Asia: Norms or Geopolitics? 198 Introduction 198 The EU’s Normative Power 199 The EU and India 202 EU–Indian Security and Strategic Relations 203 EU–Indian Economics and Trade 205 EU–Indian Non-military Security Issues and Human Rights 206 The EU and Pakistan 207 EU–Pakistani Security and Strategic Relations 207 EU–Pakistani Economics and Trade 208 EU–Pakistani Non-military Security Issues and Human Rights 209 The EU and Bangladesh 210 EU–Bangladeshi Security and Strategic Relations 210 EU–Bangladeshi Economics and Trade 210 EU–Bangladeshi Non-military Security Issues and Human Rights 211 Conclusion 213 References 215 10 The COVID-19 Pandemic: Crisis and Opportunity for a Different Approach to EU–Afghanistan Migration Management 219 Introduction 219 The European Union’s Approach to Migration Management 221 The Relationship Between the European Union and Afghanistan: Migration as a Core Concern 223 Sketching a Possible Way Forward for Afghan–EU Migration 230 Conclusion 233 References 234 Part V The Future of European-Asian Relations 241 11 Conclusion 242 Navigating an Assertive China and a Retrenching U.S.: Challenge or Opportunity? 247 Index 252