Does the United States need Europe? That question is currently under much debate in Washington policy circles, with some arguing that the U.S. should redeploy forces, materiel and military planning away from Europe and reallocate them toward countering China. The argument has some validity, but it is ultimately unsustainable.
A rarely seen occurrence happened in Europe this week: a humbled China apologized to Europe, after the country’s ambassador to France questioned the sovereignty of post-Soviet countries. It has renewed the conversation about what could happen if Europe, armed with a unified China policy, went toe-to-toe with Beijing.
In a rare move, China’s Foreign Ministry has publicly distanced itself from statements made by a sitting ambassador after the PRC’s top envoy in Paris, Lu Shaye, suggested that none of the former Soviet republics are recognized under international law. His remarks sparked outrage in several European countries.
