Europe hesitates, America alienates, China dominates

In the international debate, there is a general assumption that China’s global influence has been growing for some time. However, the extent and reasons for this are a subject of debate:  

• Is China becoming more influential because it is behaving in a convincing, strategic and successful way?  

• Could its global influence be growing because other key players, such as Europe and the USA, are being too inactive or hubristic?  

• Is China’s influence limited to certain areas and its overall influence is significantly overstated, because China’s power does lie more in rhetoric than in practice?  

• How relevant is China’s soft power in the Global South in relation to Trump’s withdrawal of aid, the Western support for Israel, tensions on tariffs, etc.?   

The event will explore these questions about the extent of China’s influence in the world and discuss the areas in which Europe needs to take particular action. Starting with a brief introduction, the current situation will be critically reflected upon together. Participants are invited to share their experiences and draw conclusions about how Europe can engage with the world in a meaningful way, based on its own strengths, rather than trying to outcompete China.