Sylvie Kauffmann

This panel is about the future of Europe seen from the US and Asia. I will say a few words about how we in Europe see the US and China. We see these two giants as two rival superpowers engaging in a new great power conflict. There is an even darker image, which is that some member states of the EU are being used as pawns in this competition, which could destroy the whole international order on which the EU is based. Listening to the previous panels, everyone loves the EU, but somehow, they all try to divide us – maybe they would like to have several EUs.

Kishore Mahbubani is from Singapore and is probably the most famous Singaporean diplomat. John Allen does not necessarily agree with every decision the US President makes. However, both are astute observers and practitioners in security issues and diplomacy, and we are eager to hear your views on the EU from Asia and the US. Each will make short preliminary remarks, and then we will engage in a discussion about this very interesting topic.

View from the US

EU

John Allen

Ifri is a towering think tank in the world, and one for which Brookings has great respect. It is great to be back in France, and I have great affection for its military, with which I have served on many occasions.

Firstly, there is often the view of the US Government regarding Europe, and then there is the view of Americans, and it is important to recognize a difference. There have been some difficulties with this administration regarding understanding Europe as a whole and the strength of the EU as an entity. We do not view the EU as being the number one foe of America, as it was once described; in fact, we see the EU and Europe more broadly as an essential relationship for the US going forward.

Relationships

The Brookings Institution talks about the US relationship with China as probably being the consequential relationship for the US in the 21st century. The relationship with India is probably the indispensable relationship. We have to reconcile the relationship with Russia; it is an adversarial and hostile one now, and we will have to find a way forward with that. However, it is clear that the essential relationship for the US going forward is the relationship with Europe – the transatlantic relationship and alliance.

Therefore, we are concerned about the health of the EU at any given time, and recognize the battering it has taken as a result not just of US policy but also of Brexit, which has had an effect on the morale of the institution. However, we hope the institution comes through intact and sound. […]

John Allen is President of the Brookings Institution.

Kishore Mahbubani is Senior Advisor in the Practice of Public Policy, National University, Singapore.

Sylvie Kauffmann is Editorial Director, Le Monde.