China and US Vie for Global Influence Amid Rising Tensions

China and the United States are engaged in a high-stakes diplomatic contest to win the support of like-minded countries as tensions between the two superpowers continue to escalate. The rivalry is playing out on the global stage, with both nations seeking to strengthen alliances and counter each other's influence.

Why this matters: The outcome of this diplomatic contest will have far-reaching implications for global stability and the future of international relations, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape for years to come. As tensions between China and the US continue to simmer, the risk of conflict and its impact on the global economy hang in the balance.

The US has been working to unite allies against what it sees as Chinese aggression in the Pacific. On Thursday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with leaders from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines in Hawaii to bolsterdefense cooperationand deterrence. The quadrilateral meeting aimed to protect countries dependent on free navigation through the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

"The single biggest reason for what we're witnessing in Hawaii this week is the increasingly aggressive behavior of the People's Republic of China," said Bradley Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The US and its allies are expected to sign new agreements on strategic cooperation during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set tovisit Europeon Sunday, marking his first tour in five years. Xi's mission is to repair strained relations between China and Europe, where attitudes have soured significantly due to trade divisions, Beijing's ties with Moscow, and concerns over espionage. Xi will stop in France, Serbia, and Hungary - countries considered the most pro-China in Europe.

Chinese state media has billed the visits as opportunities to open new chapters of cooperation. However, European leaders have grown wary of China's economic practices and massive exports of cheap green technology. The European Commission has adopted a tougher stance, with President Ursula von der Leyen stating, "We like fair competition. What we don't like is when China floods the market with massively subsidized e-cars."

Analysts say Xi aims to manage the damage to China-Europe relations and blunt Europe's push to de-risk from China. Beijing will likely try to exploit diverging interests within Europe and divisions between European leaders and Washington. The EU has a significant stake in maintaining stability between China, Taiwan, and the US to prevent a crisis that could severely impact economic ties.

As the diplomatic contest unfolds, the EU is being urged to contribute to the region's deterrence mechanism by supporting the US role as a military balancer, increasing European defense spending, providing credible reassurance to China, and clearly defining the scope of its "de-risking" campaign. The EU must also be more outspoken about Taiwan's status to limit the risk of conflict.

The high-stakes diplomatic maneuvering between China and the US has far-reaching implications for global stability and the future of international relations. As tensions continue to simmer, the outcome of this contest will shape the geopolitical landscape for years to come. The EU's role in navigating this complex dynamic will be crucial in promoting peace and preventing a catastrophic conflict.

Key Takeaways

• China and the US are engaged in a high-stakes diplomatic contest to win support from like-minded countries.
• The US is uniting allies against Chinese aggression in the Pacific, while China seeks to repair relations with Europe.
• The outcome of this contest will have far-reaching implications for global stability and international relations.
• The EU is urged to contribute to the region's deterrence mechanism and define its "de-risking" campaign to limit conflict risk.
• The EU's role will be crucial in promoting peace and preventing a catastrophic conflict between China and the US.